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For Immediate Release
Contact: Alison Tozzi, Earth Pledge, 212-725-6611, x234
Karen Rauter, Watershed Agricultural Council, 607-865-7790
Photo Exhibit Shows New Yorkers the Connection between
Eco-Friendly Farming Practices and Safe, Healthy, Delicious
Drinking Water
New York City, June 2003 – Just what does a bunch
of carrots grown in the Catskills have to do with a tall
glass of refreshing, pure New York City drinking water?
Beginning on July 11th, 2003, Earth Pledge (EP) and Watershed
Agricultural Council (WAC) will reveal the answer to thousands
during a two-week photography exhibit at Maury Rubin's
beloved Union Square institution, City Bakery. The exhibit
is part of an Earth Pledge communications campaign that
aims to show New Yorkers that they can be directly involved
in keeping their water safe and healthy by supporting eco-minded
Catskills farmers and foresters.
Few New Yorkers realize that the Catskill/Delaware watersheds,
located just a few hours north of the city, supply them—and
9 million of their neighbors—with 90% of their drinking
water. In fact, the famous water that flows from city taps
filters through the many family-owned farms and forests
in the Catskill region before reaching its urban destination.
By growing, raising, and harvesting food and forestry products
sustainably, producers in the Catskills are helping to protect
the nation's largest surface water storage supply. Their
stewardship efforts have become a national model for land
management. Catskill farmers and forestland owners work
directly with WAC, a nonprofit organization that supports
them in their effort to conserve precious soil and water
resources. Collectively, their goal is to produce safe,
healthy, local food while ensuring safe, clean, and delicious
drinking water.
The exhibit at City Bakery coincides with the re-launch
of FarmToTable.org, an Earth Pledge website promoting New
York State producers and providing consumers with access
to products grown and harvested close to home, educational
information about sustainable agriculture and cuisine, and
the latest sustainable food news. The new site will include
a special Catskills section, funded in part by the Kellogg
Foundation and USDA Forrest Service, featuring profiles
of growers and information about where to buy their goods.
In honor of the Catskill farmers, Maury Rubin, City Bakery's
owner, is bringing back his legendary Farmer's Lemonade,
made with a touch of cream–a nod to the region's
dairy farmers–and NYC tap water, naturally. "Quote
from Maury Rubin". A percentage of the proceeds from
lemonade sales will fund future EP and WAC campaigns.
Fresh milk, vegetables, meat, eggs, pure maple syrup, fine
furniture, beautiful crafts and renewable energy are all
products that come from the Catskills region. Images of
many of these products, and the farmers that produce them,
will be exhibited.
"It's critical that New Yorkers realize the
connection between the support of local agriculture and
the health of our local economy and environment,"
says Leslie Hoffman, Earth Pledge's Executive Director.
"We're asking citizens to take part in keeping
their water clean and safe by purchasing Catskills products."
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