KNI Green-O-Gram
November 3, 2008

November 4 is election day, and remember, unlike aluminum, plastic, paper, steel and other materials that we recycle more and more at KNI, your vote cannot be used more than once. But take care not to waste it, either!
;>)

Eating Local
What in the world is “eating local”? And what does it have to do with me? Eating local refers to buying food that is locally grown as much as possible, thereby reducing many of the food production costs. According to the Natural Resources Defense Council (www.nrdc.org/health/foodmiles/default.asp), “In the space of a generation, we’ve become accustomed to eating food that’s never grown roots in local soil. In fact, most produce grown in the United States travels an average of 1,500 miles before it gets sold.”
Kansas has a wide variety of produce available this time of year. A small sample of these vegetables includes: broccoli, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, lettuce, potatoes, spinach, sweet potatoes, turnips and winter squash. Missouri, Colorado and Oklahoma provide us with many other items such as watermelon, cantaloupe, pears, peas, pecans, onions, beets, raspberries and pumpkins.
The local farmer’s markets are a great place to purchase locally grown items. Typically, you can find meat, honey, flowers and other items at the market. They will be open another few weekends, so it’s not too late to check it out. If your grocery store does not carry locally grown items, you can ask them to start. Buying local keeps money in the local economy, helps the farmers and reduces greenhouse gas emissions. Typically the items in a farmer’s market have been picked a day or two before they are sold, so you will have much fresher tasting food as well.
For more information visit these websites: www.foodroutes.org, www.eatlocal.net, or www.localharvest.org. And don’t forget to contact your friendly local Washburn intern if there is any way I can help. You can email me at fjb@kni.ks.gov or call 845-8027.

Submitted by Frances Boudreau, Washburn Intern, KNI Green Team

Recycling containers on campus:
KNI has recycling bins located on the west side of the Engineering parking lot, where staff can bring plastic bottles, cardboard, glass bottles, cardboard and tin/steel cans from their home or from the homes where folks live here at KNI. There are a number of additional locations on campus to recycle aluminum, newspapers, and office paper. If you have any questions about what or how to recycle, how to get a recycling container to be placed in your area, please contact us by hitting “reply” to this email or contact Frances at fjb@kni.ks.gov

The KNI Green Team