So, I just posted an article that I wrote for Chengdoo magazine after attending a two day conference in Chengdu about "Chinese Green Cities". The local NGO community was lured by promises to

• Discuss environmental, wildlife, & nature protection strategies

• Devise a plan to promote harmony between humans and nature

• Mobilize all walks of society to participate in greening China

• Discuss successful models & experiences in environmental and wildlife protection

and equally, if not more important that All speeches will be translated into English.

Well, after counting 78 chandeliers in the grand ballroom, studying all of the characters on the stage backdrop, and feeling like suckers in the "foreign expert" made for TV row, my friend Ashley and I conspired to actually discuss and act on the four points above: (in English with translation)

Join us for the launch of the
Chengdu Organic Market at The Bookworm

Introduction
Farmers markets are known for bringing healthy and fresh produce and products from the countryside into the city and fostering direct relationships between people and farmers. Although Chengdu has excellent access to fresh local produce in fruit and vegetable stands and on the streets, it is very difficult, if not impossible to find environmentally friendly or organic produce. The general dearth of organic produce can be attributed to a number of barriers which include the small perceived willingness to pay for value-added produce, mistrust/false labeling, lack of infrastructure, and lack of understanding on the part of both producers and consumers regarding the logistics and importance of organic production.

Fortunately, there are many NGOs and entrepreneurs in Chengdu working to grow community supported agriculture (CSA) models to bring organic produce directly to the consumer. CSA is a socio-economic model of food production, sales, and distribution that allows small scale farmers to reduce potential food loses and financial risks of producing organic. This model also provides an avenue to build trust between producers and consumers, resolving the issue of false labeling, especially false organic or “green” labeling that is so common in China.
We believe that creating an organic farmers market in Chengdu provides an avenue for expanding existing CSA projects in Chengdu while demonstrating the demand for organic produce and willingness to pay the added costs of production. This will in turn support the expansion of organic production to a greater number of farmers, improve the local soil and water quality by reducing pesticide and fertilizer use, and support a growing movement towards sustainable and “green” lifestyles in Chengdu. Already, many local NGOs are engaged in projects that support organic production and environmental lifestyles. The Chengdu Organic Farmers Market could provide a direct and constant consumer link to support and expand these activities.

The market will not be limited to the sale of organic produce; it will also provide a forum for educational activities such as urban composting, windowsill gardening, pet care and neutering, kids activities, etc. This will attract more diverse participation, and provide a platform for the greater local environmental community to gather.

Details:
First Chengdu Organic Market will be held
Saturday June 23rd from 11-3pm
outside The Bookworm

Call for Contributions:
The Chengdu Organic Market is looking for contributors who are interested in hosting tables for: organic produce, educational activities and demonstrations. Financial donations, and any other contributions are also welcome of course.

For more information, please contact Kat Cooley and Ashley Murray at ChengduOrganicMarket@gmail.com