Food
Champion Nominees
Entrepreneurs for Sustainability
November 2004
*winner* Champion:
Anita & Tom Dunderman – The Basketeria *winner*
(Nominated by: Kathleen Webb)
Please consider Tom and Anita Dunderman as candidates for the Champions
of Sustainability Awards. Tom and Anita operate `The Basketeria` produce
stand at Cleveland`s West Side Market. From Spring through Fall, they
also sell produce at Coit Road Farmers Market in East Cleveland.
Tom and Anita have taken a revolutionary and radical approach to being
produce vendors. Beginning in January and February each year, they start
to meet with area farmers who grow for The Basketeria to review seed
catalogues, planning for the coming harvest. Four Amish farm families
have been growing for Tom`s customers, with hundreds of acres in cultivation
specifically for The Basketeria. Tom selects certain varieties of squash,
for instance, preferred by his Middle Eastern customers. And for the
Russian customers who shop at Coit Road Farmers Market, black radishes
and pickle cucumbers.
Tom and Anita want their customers to leave The Basketeria produce stand
with bags bulging with fresh vegetables, enough to feed the customers`
families, and having spent $10 or $15, maybe $20. Because they sell
produce all year round, Tom begins buying vegetables from outside our
region as our growing season comes to a close. He has an eye for organic,
and will purchase organic vegetables whenever they are available at
good prices and good quality. Tom and Anita could charge a premium price
for these organic goods, but they choose to pass the savings and value
along to their customers. In their opinion, fresh local and organic
produce should be available to all.
Tom and Anita and their children often go out to the fields planted
for Basketeria customers and do the harvesting. Tom can usually tell
his customers where a vegetable was picked, and when — usually
within 24 hours of being on the stand. The farmers who grow for The
Basketeria are guaranteed the sale of the harvest, a benefit to the
farmer.
While I describe Tom and Anita`s approach to selling produce as radical
and revolutionary, Tom shrugs off the description. He says, "That`s
the only way to do produce — sell local whenever it is in season.
One definition of radical is `back to the root,` and Tom and Anita are
taking produce vending back to what it`s all about, fresh seasonal vegetables
from local farms. Their method is revolutionary, in my opinion, because
it could be followed by other entrepreneurs and ultimately change how
and when food comes to our tables. Tom and Anita Dunderman are heroes
of sustainablity to me, and I am happy to share their story.
Champion:
Lynn Gregor – OSU Extension/Community Gardening
Program & City Fresh Program
(Nominated by: Kari Moore – Northeast Ohio Foodshed
Network)
Lynn works from the ground up, literally (not grass-roots but dirt-roots)
to develop and strengthen community gardens in Cleveland.
Lynn works tirelessly, often thanklessly and rather anonymously at times
within a huge OSU Extension hierarchy and deserves recognition.
Lynn works directly with Cleveland’s neighborhoods with the gardeners
to get them started in new gardens and maintain existing gardens. These
community gardens provide the gardeners and their communities with a
healthy local food supply, a neighborhood gathering spot, a spiritual
center for the gardeners and so much more.
Lynn and her husband David Hassler eloquently told the story of Cleveland’s
community gardeners in their book, A Time To Grow.
In addition to her community gardening work, Lynn is now leading a coalition
between OSU, NE Ohio Foodshed Network, Heifer Int’l. Cleveland
Department of Health and others in the building of an urban-based, community
supported agriculture program that will develop market gardens and community
food centers to distribute locally grown foods targeted for Cleveland
neighborhoods. Lynn was instrumental in securing funding for this new
program through a highly competitive three-year Community Food Security
grant from the USDA in.
Scott Gordon – Rosby’s Greenhouse &
Berry Farm
(Nominated by: Kari Moore – Northeast Ohio Foodshed
Network)
Scott could be the poster child of the sustainability movement. His
energy, creativity and constant good humor are an asset to our community
in many ways. He is pushing Rosby’s to think sustainably about
its business model and its role in the NE Ohio business and food communities.
Scott is not afraid to float new ideas in promoting the business and
the foods they grow. He is an innovator, searching for the most viable
crops for NE Ohio markets… raspberries, Cinderella pumpkins and
even Cuyahoga Valley sunflowers!
Champion:
Phillip Nabors – Mustard Seed Market & Café
(Nominated by: Kari Moore – Northeast Ohio Foodshed
Network)
Phil`s long-term commitment to local farmers and producers is unparalleled.
He is dedicated to high quality, local produce and products. He is a
true innovator. And last, but not least, he runs the coolest and best
stocked locally owned grocery store in NE Ohio!
If you haven`t met him, Phil`s red Chuck Taylors allow for him to be
easily picked out of a crowd.
Champion:
Pat & Dan Conway – Great Lakes Brewing Company
(Nominated by: Gary Cole - Wiring Services)
In addition to the biodiesel and sustainable food production methods
the Conway`s are known for, the new super-insulated green house they
are building at the community garden at West 38th and Franklin is fabulous.
The locally unique project will extend the growing season of a select
number of crops well into our cold season. What can I say, other than
that the Conway brothers are really doing it right.
Champion:
Medeana & Albert Hobar - The Web of Life
(Nominated by: Indira V. DeJarnette)
I would like to nominate Medeana & Albert Hobar of The Web of Life
health food store in Westlake, in the catagory of organic/local foods.
Where do I begin? This amazing young couple represents everything your
organization stands for. Albert a former construction worker, discovered
wholefood. Through which he experienced greater energy and health. So
he filled himself with knowledge on local wholefoods. Soon after he
visited the American Harvest healthfood store, where he met Medeana.
She was helping operate her parents business at the time. Albert asked
Medeana out by refusing to buy her dinner unless it was food that would
sustain her. She began to learn more from him and it wasn`t long
before they were wed. Together, Medeana and Albert have dedicated their
lives to the betterment of others.
Medeana is a generous and giving young woman with a heart of gold.
She is filled with a passion and determination to see that the world
is better for children, even before she had her own. Because of her,
I heard Congressman Dennis Kucinich a few years ago warn of the Genetic
engineering of foods. That was the start of the first 200k signatures
campaign against genetic engineering. I met Dr. Robert Fox of the Humane
Society in Washington, and many others due to her launch of the Earthsave
project here in Ohio.
Albert is a multi-talented man. He is passionate, knowledgeable and
willing to educate and assist anyone. He is also is a local producer
of organic foods. What ever he grows is labled "Uncle Al`s."
If he doesnt produce it, you can guarantee he`s buying and supporting
other local and organic producers. It may sound simple, but I have watched
them struggle thru the process of starting their business to support
the community, teach others to do the same, expand their business, add
catering, extend their family, support their parents. I know of others
who run stores that Albert has personally mentored. I have seen this
couple give all they have, do without, work without rest, without profit
and no matter how hard the struggle.
They practice what they preach, and are determined to be a force in
the world, and choose to make a difference by being the difference.
We are fortunate to have them. They could tour the Nation, but they
choose to stay in Ohio. Everyone in the sustainable industries can look
to them as an example.
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