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News Release

Last modified: Tuesday, September 3, 2013

IU Bloomington's Big Red Eats Green Festival to promote local foods, businesses

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Sept. 3, 2013

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- Four local growers and 14 restaurants will take part this month in Indiana University Bloomington's Big Red Eats Green Festival, a celebration of local food and locally owned businesses.

Big Red Eats Green was created in 2011 to raise awareness of local foods among IU students, faculty and staff. This year's event will take place from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 10, at the IU Art Museum.

"So much of what makes Bloomington a special place is the amazing variety of locally owned restaurants partnering with local growers to serve the community healthy, delicious and sustainable food," said Emilie Rex, assistant director of sustainability. "We all have a role to play in supporting a thriving local food system, and we hope our campus community will get hooked on local, delicious food after eating lunch with us at Big Red Eats Green."

Attendees will have the opportunity to purchase a wide range of food items from area restaurants, priced between $1 and $6 each. All of the participating restaurants support local farms and food producers and center their specially prepared festival dishes on in-season, locally grown ingredients.

"Food connects everyone on so many levels, through the simplest of means," said Kit Gambill, festival co-coordinator. "Big Red Eats Green offers an opportunity to connect IU students with the Bloomington community and with each other."

This year's festival will also feature local musicians organized through the Poppy House Bloomington Music Collective, as well as three IU faculty speakers: Christine Barbour, senior lecturer in the Department of Political Science; Peter Todd, professor in the Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences; and Catherine Tucker, associate professor in the Department of Anthropology. Additionally, community nonprofits and IU student groups, offices and departments focused on food issues will provide attendees with information about how to become more involved on campus and within the community.

"We feel any member of the Bloomington community would benefit from going to Big Red Eats Green this year," said festival co-coordinator Andrea Kalasountas. "With vendors from several local businesses with food for purchase; many IU clubs concerned with food, farming, sustainability and other related topics; informational talks given by renowned IU professors; and live music throughout the day, there will be something there for everyone."

For more information about sustainability initiatives at IU Bloomington, visit the IU Office of Sustainability website.

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