We hope to participate in San Jose State University annual Sustainability week and Earth Day, which will take place April 19 thought April 22. We will be showing a documentary on ocean or fishing issues facing us today as well as educating about the excess of plastic build up in the ocean. We hope to discourage use of plastics by offering alternatives, such as using a reusable water bottle instead of a plastic disposable one. For Earth Day we hope to build a scaled model of the mass of plastic that currently resides in the pacific ocean, this mass disrupts the normal flora and fauna in the ocean, causing sea animals, fish as well as birds, to unknowingly consume tiny bits of plastic. The plastic is both bad for the animals as it lacks nutritional value but also causes harm up the food system, as humans consume such fish. This issue affects both the health of our oceans as well as the health of humans.

As an organization we also like to participate in community service and recreational activities. We have an upcoming workday with Veggielution, not to mention various other organizations. We also hope to do hikes, movie nights, just to name a few. We should have an active calendar up on our website very soon.

The best way to fallow us is on facebook, we are listed as Ec Sj. Please add us as a friend.

Feel free to email with any questions you may have and we hope to see you at our weekly meetings.

Sincerely,
Julia Kamoroff
Ec_sjsu@yahoo.com

Millions of students, staff, faculty, and administrators in colleges and universities across the country are awakening to the environmental impacts that our institutions have on the world. With issues such as climate change, waste management, and our food system becoming increasingly important, it is vital that universities take a lead role in developing sustainable practices. With almost 30,000 students, SJSU has the opportunity to become a leader in sustainability in the Silicon Valley and California.

We stand at a critical point in time in the sustainability movement on college and university campuses. College campuses across the nation are linking teaching, research, and campus engagement to focus on sustainability. At SJSU energy for change abounds, but it lacks focus. We need to create a collaborative framework for implementing change on our campus.

Please join us for a Campus Sustainability Strategy Meeting on Sep 12, 2007, 5:30p to 7:00p. We will discuss the state of campus sustainability, current progress at SJSU, and where we should go from here. The meeting will have an interactive format, so be prepared to share your ideas and opinions.

What: Campus Sustainability Strategy Meeting
Where: Guadalupe Rm, Student Union
When: Sep 12, 2007, 5:30p to 7:00p

Sincerely,

Julia Kamoroff
VP, Environmental Club
info@sjsuenvclub.org
707.354.1272

“We are the ones we’ve been waiting for.”

Here is the flyer: earthcare_sjsu.pdf

Click here for a list of the items we will accept.  This event is open to the public, and all residents and businesses are welcome to participate. 

 Questions?  Email us at info@sjsuenvclub.org.  See you there!

Because SJSU is a large food purchaser, we can make a difference by expanding the market for local and organic food. This means healthier food for us, fewer toxins in our environment, healthier farm workers, and less pollution from transportation.

Spread the word by announcing this to your classes and talking to your colleagues. And of course, please show your support by purchasing some organic food. Let’s make organic food a success at SJSU!

Thank you to James Whinery, Spartan Dining Assistant Director, and Jay Marshall, Executive Chef, for their amazing level of support for this project.

-Amie Frisch
Director, Environmental Resource Center

Carla Mancebo

Media Credit: Stephania Bednar

Naturally fertilized, chemical-free fresh fruit products grown on socially responsible farms will soon take up positions alongside conventionally farmed apples at San Jose State University’s cafeteria, Environmental Resource Center Director Amie Frisch, revealed last week.

ALBA Organics, a non-profit distributorship, will begin supplying Market Cafe with organic produce; under the terms of a plan that will begin cautiously with fruits – and later expand to vegetables if market conditions prove favorable, said Market Cafe manager James Whinery.

Some SJSU students may be ready to spring for food without pesticides because they believe it is healthier.

“I would buy it, even if it costs more, because I feel organic is better for you,” said Ashley Goularte, a senior majoring in kinesiology. “You’re not putting unnecessary toxins in your body.”

“I don’t buy the apples and oranges now. I’m from the country, and I know that apples don’t shine like that,” said Michelle Celino, and senior majoring in English.

University officials initially expressed concerns over the higher cost of certified organic produce grown under more socially conscious farming conditions, according to Frisch.

“They were never against it, just worried it wouldn’t sell,” she said. “So we are creating a promotional campaign, and as soon as it’s done, the organic produce will be out in the Market Cafe.”

Frisch said, noting that could be just days away.

Frisch hopes to rely on Alba Organics, “which would give us food from small, local, sustainable farms.”

The Salinas, Calif. based Agriculture and Land-Based Training Association created the retail ALBA Organics to supply regional consumers. According to its Web site, its clients include the Housing and Dining Services at Stanford University and University of California, Santa Cruz.

Whinery feels the market laws of supply and demand will determine the success of the new menu offerings.

“The problem is organic small apples sitting next to cheaper, bigger, conventional apples that will sell better,” he said.

Last year, the cafe offered organic products for sale, but failed to promote the additions, Whinery says. Sales were poor and the initiative was abandoned.

ALBA Marketing coordinator Dina Izzo invoked social change language to characterize the expanded menu options.

“The victory came from the power of students organizing and using their voice,” she said.

With Alba’s distribution the price of a natural apple will cost about the same as the waxy ones currently available, Izzo said.

“I don’t think the prices are out of line,” Izzo said.

The Market Cafe will follow the market, according to Whinery.

“I’m a retailer. I’m going to sell what people buy,” he said.

::Spartan Daily