The Art of Eating Sustainably

Looking for a real-world application amid all this talk of “sustainability” and “green living”? Join us on October 5 at 10:30 am for a FREE lecture presented by the Virginia Cooperative Extension (VCE) aimed to make sense of all this green speak.

The host of this event, Pamela Hess, comes to us as executive director of Arcadia Food, where she spreads the word about eating locally and making fresh food available to everyone, regardless of their income. Her organization is at the forefront of the fast food battle. She calls it “an important work that has an immediate impact on a problem that affects all of us — the public health crisis engendered by a food system that has evolved over the last 30 years to shovel calorie-dense, nutrition-free food into us.”

Hess will outline the economic and social impact of eating local food (not to mention improved taste and nutrients!), while highlighting what actions are being taken to provide our community with high-quality foods. Additionally, she’ll explain what she calls “The Five Ws of Sustainable Agriculture and Eating.” This will answer your questions about what makes some produce healthier than others, and how to find the best food to put on your table.

Our GREEN ACRES exhibition engages the public on issues surrounding the intersection of art, agricultural, and urban life. This event is the second installment of the AAC/VCE lecture series, and will bring together ideas of food, sustainability, and community.

Hess’s lecture will focus on options for healthy, mindful eating in an urban setting like Arlington. Hess promises this lecture will provide instruction for healthy living beyond simply resisting Twinkies. “This is cutting edge stuff,” she assures us, “scientifically and sociologically.”

-Written by Beth Evans, AAC’s Summer Education Intern

GREEN ACRES is made possible by an Emily Hall Tremaine Exhibition Award. The Exhibition Award program was founded in 1998 to honor Emily Hall Tremaine. It rewards innovation and experimentation among curators by supporting thematic exhibitions that challenge audiences and expand the boundaries of contemporary art.