LOCAL BITES

Fair Trade Block Party
This is not your average block party. Boston has become the 20th city officially declared a Fair Trade Town. To celebrate, fair trade advocates Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield of Ben & Jerry’s will be pumping the flesh at the Fair Trade Block Party TOMORROW, September 10th, 5-7 p.m., at the Prudential Center. A weekend-long, related conference also starts tomorrow, in Quincy. Get all your information at the Fair Trade Futures Conference site.

Somerville’s Local Roots
Come support Groundwork Somerville at the annual Local Roots Food and Music Festival on September 11th from 5pm-10pm at the Community Growing Center near Union Square. Redbones BBQ and Dave’s Fresh Pasta will be featured fare while you swing your hips and celebrate the goodness of community and sustainable living.

Who’s Your Food Hero?
Meet chef, author and food blogger Georgia Pellegrini for a talk, tasting and book-signing co-sponsored by the Culinary Guild of New England and Wasik’s Cheese Shop. Pellegrini’s talk is based on her new book, Food Heroes: Sixteen Culinary Artisans Preserving Tradition. September 18th, 2pm at Wellesley Booksmith.

No PB&J Here
There’s lots cookin’ at the Wayland Farmer’s Market held each Wednesday afternoon. Get school lunch ideas, get your knives and other house utensils sharpened, and give a little from your larder as well! Details HERE.

Mass Agri-Tourism
MDAR (Mass. Department of Agricultural Resources) recently announced the launch of an official website, Massgrown, dedicated to connecting residents and visitors of the Bay State to its rich agricultural offerings. You’ll find info on culinary- and agri-tourism events, ag fairs, crop availability and how to find and buy locally-grown products. Dig in.

Have Yourself ‘A Feast in A Field’
Les Dames d’Escoffier (Boston Chapter) is teaming up with Verrill Farm (Concord) on Sept. 19th at 5:30 in a Green Tables fundraiser called Feast in a Field. Proceeds will go towards The Food Project and Kids can Cook. Dinner will feature Verrill produce and meats from both Blood Farm and River Rock Farm. Live entertainment, too! (Listen to PRK’s own Susanna Bolle and her coverage of the Blood Farm folk HERE.)

Foodie Entrepreneurs Welcome
On Sept. 27th from 1-6pm, head to the Park Plaza Hotel for a Samuel Adams-sponsored, free event called “Brewing the American Dream,” designed for small food and beverage biz owners and start-ups. The founders of Sam Adams and Stacy’s Pita Chips will speak and offer tips on how to stay in the black during the tough economy. Registration required. (Read the Providence Journal‘s early coverage of the event HERE.)

NATIONAL TREAT

Hungry for Action
Did you know September is Hunger Action Month? To help, you can cook, shop, donate, attend, write, Tweet… you name it. Think, read and get involved.