KickStarter Project

Ahh, Yes I didn't make my goal. The good news is that I got a new contract so I'm able to save a bit and prepare to make more food in the future for Red Pandora. The bad part is that I didn't make my goal. But I have to say this. It was a great experience,and next time I'll give myself a shorter goal deadline. The thing about Kickstarter is that Its all or nothing. With that said, its a great opportunity for people who are serious about expanding their business or taking a new idea to the next level.

Thanks so much to everyone who pitched in. It meant so much to me and kept me going. Now that I got that off of my chest, Its time for me to make more food.
Ciao!

GROWING POWER!!

So I went on a tour of Growing Power earlier this week and let me just say that I was blown away! During my tour I was joined by a few farmers who were curious about Growing Powers various methods. I also met a few intern scientist from Africa who were there to observe Growing Powers techniques and a scientist who was based at the Growing Power facility.

Growing Power is a national nonprofit organization and land trust which helps provide equal access to healthy, high-quality, safe and affordable food for people in all communities. Growing Power implements provided hands-on training, demonstrations, outreach and technical assistance through the development of Community Food Systems that help people grow, process, market and distribute food in a sustainable manner.

My goal was to find out how I could purchase their local produce for my food initiative, since I admired their sustainable food producing methods. I found out that they are so far ahead of the game when it comes to urban farming. By the end of the tour my head was spinning do to information overload. I felt that there was so much more that I could do and there is a great need to be a part of a great sustainable food system.

What really got to me was their ability to utilize everything (including garbage) and turn it into something productive.

They use Aquaponics (the method of growing crops and fish together in a re-circulating system).





Long story short Tilapia and Yellow Perch are raised in a large tank of water.
By using gravity as a transport, water is drained from the fish tank into a gravel bed.  Beneficial bacteria break down the toxic ammonia in fish waste to Nitrite and then to Nitrogen, a key nutrient for plant development.  On the gravel bed, they use watercress as a secondary means of water filtration. Crazy, but cool.

Talapia Tank


The filtered water is pumped from the gravel bed to the growing beds, where they raise a variety of crops from specialty salad greens to tomatoes (I tried them and they were delicious).  The water is wicked up to the crops roots with the help of coir (a by-product of coconut shells and a sustainable replacement for peat moss).

The water flows from the growing beds back into the tank of fish. Growing Power uses this type of aquaponics system because it is easy to build and only needs a small pump and heat to get the system running.



Tasty Edible flower (a bit peppery in flavor). This flower helps relieves Bee Stings when rubbed on the irritated area.


Growing Power is also powered by a series of 30 solar panel cells.

Compost
Their ‘living’ systems are composed of carbon residue, microorganisms, minerals, and red wriggler worms. The resulting material is remarkably fertile, giving plants access to the nutrients needed for both plant growth and for human nutrition. The “closed-loop” ecological approach to this system allows for the clean up of contaminants in the soil, for digestion and transformation of food waste, and for the production of fertilizer that is far more effective than chemical treatments.  The high microbial count in their system helps fight off soil disease and breaks down food waste rapidly, keeping plants strong and healthy.


Growing power employees and volunteers hard at work sifting through live compost.
 
Growing Power's compost is made with recycled food waste, farm waste, brewery waste, and coffee grinds.  Bread, dairy, or meat products are not included in the compost.



Very friendly goats!






Very Happy Chickens. I got some huge eggs from them. The chicken coup was super clean!


If you'd like to learn more about Growing Power. Go to
www.growingpower.org/


Growing Power does daily tours at their Milwaukee facility.
5500 W. Silver Spring Drive, Milwaukee, WI 53218

They are also located in Chicago
3333 S. Iron Street, Chicago, IL 60608


 

Truck Rough Draft/Outline

Ok, the graphic designer that I'm working with may kill me because his original design was for a completely different truck. Since I'm working with a different truck I added his graphics to the new scaled drawings I received from the fabrication company. I also changed the color to Charcoal Gray. We were going to use a cream/vanilla color but I felt the logo popped out more on a dark background. Although this isn't the final graphic design (because the designer may make a few more changes) the truck type is pretty much set in stone. Please send your comments. Thanks! 

From Stockholm, Sweden with love!

From left to right. Sandra and Gustav Dejert


Yes, Red Pandora is now International! Weeell sort of ;-)

My Favorite Design Agency Woo Agenture (located in Stockholm, Sweden) tries Red Pandora Popcorn for the first time!


Sandra Tries Some of my Yummy popcorn in Sweden.

Check out Gustav Dejert (the guy behind Red Pandora's design) works
http://www.woo.se/news/gustav_dejert
He's Awesome!

Keep it Rollin!

Hello All!

Well I have a new logo made from Graphic Designer Gustav Dejert who resides in Stockholm, Sweden! Yes Sweden. I wanted to use a designer who could capture a 50’s / 60’s pop style with a modern twist.

His illustration and animations hark back to 60s styled graphic design posters which are noted for their outline-free, masking-based and detailed style.


His style was very important to me since the way I prepare my sandwiches, create spreads and make my caramel popcorn is very traditional.

As well as the way I interact with farmers, distributors, bakers and customers although I have a few modern tools at my expense to help things run smoothly.


Other than that I’ve been getting busy for this Years Farmers Market. We also have a few promising things coming up this year that I’m very excited about so I won’t reveal too much because I don’t want to hex it. I’ll just let you know that it means lots and lots of paperwork, working with a few new farms, and creating cool video which I’ll post on my blog as soon as its complete. One thing about going through a rough winter is that it thickens your skin and gives you time to focus on things to come in the spring, summer and fall. I’ll keep you posted after making a few more trips to city hall.