A FIG planning meeting in Macomb's City Hall

The Food Initiatives Group (FIG) is inviting you to join or rejoin our cause!  Help us build a healthy and sustainable local food system in Western Illinois.  New and renewing members will receive a coupon to New Copperfield’s Bookstore from now until December 31st, 2009.  Student ($10) and Individual ($15) memberships will receive a $5 coupon.  Family memberships ($25) will receive a $10 coupon.  Membership dues help FIG support community garden projects, FIG activities at the Macomb Farmer’s Market, Local Foods Dinners, and more.  Send your dues to “FIG Treasurer, P.O. Box 663, Macomb, IL, 61455.In 2009 FIG also staffed information booths for Earth Day at Spoon River College and the Environmental Summit at Western Illinois University (WIU).  WIU agriculture professor Dr. Joel Gruver provided FIG with over 300 heritage tomato plants that were handed out by FIG participants in Macomb’s Heritage Days Parade in June along with over 400 copies of FIG’s 2009 Local Food Guide.  FIG’s Local Foods Summer Dinner on August 8th was a huge success with over 95 guests.  The next Local Foods Dinner is tentatively scheduled for January 23rd, 2010.  Another new initiative on the horizon 2010 that FIG members are helping with is the feasibility study and planning for a local foods storefront co-op in Macomb.  This exciting community project is something many FIG members are already looking forward to and FIG will keep you informed about developments and opportunities for your involvement in the weeks and months ahead.

Please join FIG and help us build on these local foods initiatives in 2010.

Dan Barclay, Chair

Food Initiatives Group