Southeastern Channel to air feature on locally grown foods
Contact: Rene Abadie
9/4/09
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"Growin' Local" -- Hammond resident David Quinn and his son Nathan show Southeastern biologist Robert Moreau a handful of chicken feed used to feed and grow chickens in his own backyard. Practices such as eating locally grown food and visiting “pick your own” farms are spotlighted in “Growin’ Local,” the latest episode of the “Backyard Wonders” nature show which airs on the Southeastern Channel. Taping the segment are, from left, producer Josh Kapusinski and videographer Jamie Bass.
HAMMOND – “Growin’ Local,” the latest episode of the Southeastern Channel’s award-winning series “Backyard Wonders” that explores the benefits of buying and eating locally-grown foods, will debut on the Channel at 8 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 9.
The episode, “Growin’ Local,” will continue airing for several weeks at 8:30 a.m. Tuesdays, 8 p.m. Wednesdays, and 8 p.m. Mondays, said Rick Settoon, general manager of the Southeastern Channel, Southeastern Louisiana University’s educational cable access channel.
“This show will make our viewers more aware of the importance of local foods to area communities and their economies, as well as for their own health and well-being,” Settoon said.
Consuming locally grown foods has many benefits, Settoon said, including reducing grocery bills, stimulating the local economy, preserving the environment and strengthening communities. “Not to mention, the foods generally taste better and are healthier for the consumer,” he added.
In this episode, Southeastern biology professor and host Robert Moreau visits an array of locales, including a farmer’s market, a “pick-your-own” farm, an urban farm, a local organic grocer, and a residential backyard full of chickens.”
“The north shore is a great place to find fruits and vegetables, and our viewers will benefit from learning about the different places to find these items,” said Channel staff member Josh Kapusinski, who produced, directed and edited the program. “With the economy struggling, people need to see how they can save money – whether by raising chickens, growing vegetables or visiting a you-pick farm.”
Moreau visits the Covington Farmer’s Market, where vendors sell local fruits and vegetables, then takes his own family to a pick-your-own blueberry farm near Amite to demonstrate a fun and inexpensive way to obtain fresh fruits and vegetables. A trip to the Hollygrove Market in New Orleans shows how that community is growing its own food.
Later in the episode Moreau interviews Hammond resident David Quinn about raising chickens in his backyard, a practice that appears to be gaining in popularity. Then Moreau’s parents, Jean and Alvin Moreau, cook a corn macheaux dish using vegetables purchased at the Covington Market. They also demonstrate how to can figs and preserve fruit.
The host then travels to Hammond grocery store Organic Planet and interviews owners Jennifer Sharp and Carrie Abel about common consumer questions concerning labeling, organic and local foods. The episode includes a visit to a “Victory Garden” at the home of former Southeastern biology department head Headley Adelmann, where tips are presented on starting and maintaining a garden and determining what and how to plant.
Assisting in the production were Channel staff member Jamie Bass and students Darren Short of Hammond and Allegra Weldon of Ponchatoula. The Southeastern Channel can be seen on Charter Cable Channel 18 in Tangipahoa, St. Tammany and Livingston parishes and on Channel 17 in Washington Parish. Its live 24-7 Webcast can be viewed at www.selu.edu/tv.
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