Bloomington green group unwinds, discusses local food

Even though not all food being served had been grown locally, more than 60 people were crowded into the Upland Brewing Company’s banquet facility room for the May meeting of Green Drinks Bloomington, a group focused on strengthening local food networks.

Green Drinks groups are active all throughout the country and organize gatherings for people interested in the environment.

The meeting Wednesday served as an informal social networking opportunity for Bloomington residents excited about green issues. Attendees also listened to Maggie Sullivan, director of the Local Growers Guild, discuss reasons to buy local food.

“It is better for health, better for the environment, better for the local economy and better for the community,” Sullivan said before her talk.

Speaking to the whole group, Sullivan said local farmers focus on taste and nutrition.

She also pointed out that buying local can minimize fossil fuel use because of lower transportation costs.

The local economy figured heavily into Sullivan’s talk, as she emphasized how local food and local businesses can help each other. She pointed out that Upland buys many local foods.

After Sullivan spoke, the meeting took a more low-key turn. People grabbed drinks and finger food as they got to know each other.

Marcia Veldman, one of the event organizers, described hearing about Green Drinks as a light-bulb moment – she knew right away that the group was perfect for her. She said many other people are excited about the group, and a typical turnout for group events usually exceeds 100 attendees.

Veldman said having fun and unwinding is a big part of Green Drinks.

“So many people work so hard, it’s a night off,” Veldman said.

IU professor Benjamin Schultz, who was chair of the Sustainable Food Working Group for the IU Task Force on Campus Sustainability, was also in attendance. He said networking is the biggest part of Green Drinks.

Discussing his involvement with lobbying for an IU director of sustainability and working on green construction, he said Green Drinks is great because environmental issues can be a big part of someone’s life and can become something you have to talk about all the time.

“You talk about it with your kids, you talk about it with your neighbors,” Schultz said.