As part of Emi UEMURA’s project “Mobile Garden & Calendar Restaurant” at the shop’s summer space in Caochangdi, on September 18th 2010 we invite you to “Country Fair,” a gathering of local farmers whose practices emphasize organic, community-based and wholistic approaches.

The farmers, some of whom will be offering their produce for sale, will be available for exchanges of information and conversation. From 2pm to 4pm, there will be a round table discussion (in Chinese, but we will try to have some informal translation available) about farming in Beijing and China in general, and it should be quite inspiring and informative. Natural farming techniques are relatively small scale in Beijing, but as it grows what does it represent for the way our cities are fed, and as it becomes appropriated into an “industry” and a lifestyle image? How does it challenge the way we live, and our own potential to grow? Very important questions can be sourced to potatoes.

Please make your way to the shop on September 18th and join in!

Country Fair
September 18th, 2010

小毛驴市民农园 Little Donkey Farm, 天福園 God’s Grace Garden, 芳嘉园Farmer Duan, Lily Hsieh (Urban Compost), Laura (Vegan Baking), 方丹敏 Danmin (Calendar Dumplings), Pangbianr (Recipes Zine), and more

Market starting: 1:00 ~5:00pm

Round table talk : 2:00 ~ 4:00 pm

E-mail: project@vitamincreativespace.com

维他命创意空间这个店在草场地, 正在进行移动花园和日历餐厅计划.

移动花园计划通过在泡沫塑料盒里面栽培花草蔬菜, 来示范非传统的食物种植、食用方式. 日历餐厅计划根据移动花园的蔬菜成长情况来决定什么时候营业, 采用我们亲自栽培烹调的时蔬, 菜单上有比萨, 沙拉, 豆芽等选择.

种植天然、有机蔬菜的农民与北京的消费者之间依然缺乏链接, 部分农民存有多余的有机产品, 而市内的消费者却不知道如何享用到天然食物. 我的设想是在当地农贸集会上进行一些试验, 让消费者即可以支持当地农民, 又能了解到市场上有哪些选择, 以及怎么成为一名负责任的城市消费者.

移动花园和日历餐厅也可以作为我们的起点, 进一步促进农民与消费者之间的交流, 鼓励双方建立关系, 例如, 我们会邀请当地种植天然、有机食物的农民们参加资讯分享, 并交流有关宣传, 包装, 运输等方面的经验. 我们的小店也可以作为短期的销售点, 农民可以在店里寄卖蔬菜作为练习. 同时我们还在考虑如何在农民与艺术家之间产生有关农业和食物的对话.