Uniting passion, science and art to bring you fabulous, fresh roasted coffees from the world over.   We specialize in Northern Italian style light-roasted coffees that bring out the best qualities of each varietal. www.crcoffeeroasters.com

Valley Cheese and Wine has played host to the “Kitchen Cabinet” planning meetings for the past several months and we are truly grateful for their passion, generosity and space.  Valley Cheese and Wine is the premier specialty wine and food store in the Las Vegas valley. Founded in July 2006 by Bob Howald and Kristin Sande, Valley Cheese and Wine features flavorful, artisanal products that are produced in small quantities. Every item we carry is hand-selected with taste in mind, representing the world’s finest. At Valley Cheese and Wine you will find include hard-to-find wines, artisan cheese, charcuterie, specialty dry goods and wine accessories. Located at 1770 W. Horizon Ridge Parkway Suite 110 Henderson Nevada 89012. 702-341-8191
http://www.valleycheeseandwine.com

Whole Foods — We search for the highest quality, least processed, most flavorful and natural foods possible because we believe that food in its purest state — unadulterated by artificial additives, sweeteners, colorings and preservatives — is the best tasting and most nutritious food there is.

Whole People — Our people are our company. They are passionate about healthy food and a healthy planet. They take full advantage of our decentralized, self-directed team culture and create a respectful workplace where people are treated fairly and are highly motivated to succeed.

Whole Planet — We are committed to helping take care of the world around us, and our active support of organic farming and sustainable agriculture helps protect our planet. And while we assist our global neighbors through our Whole Planet Foundation’s micro-lending operations, we also step out the back door of each of our stores to support food banks, sponsor neighborhood events and donate to local non-profit groups.

Some things are just no brainers, like knowing you can always find a lot of organic food at our stores. We offer you the biggest and best choice we possibly can because it’s an important part — perhaps the most important part — of our commitment to you and the planet. Choosing organic supports farmers and producers who believe in good health, quality foods and earth-friendly sustainable agricultural practices. And that’s good for everyone, from the farm worker to the planet to your family – and future generations too.

Urban dwellers have less space for fruit trees, less time to take care of them, less time to process or preserve large amounts of food. Recent trends in food purchasing by consumers embrace organic or natural production techniques as well as local sources of fresh foods. There is more concern now with “carbon footprints” and global warming due to the long distances that food is transported from “farm to plate”.

 UNCE’s Orchard facility in North Las Vegas contains about 600 fruit-bearing trees and vines and 16,000 ft² for vegetable production. In 2009 it provided experiential learning opportunities for volunteers while they provide labor for the Orchard. This program works in parallel with my Producer to Chef program, focused on developing marketing channels for locally produced foods, and my Mass Media Program through a fruit e-newsletter. I have about 50 active volunteers who come to the Orchard to “Learn by Doing” which they take home to their own gardens and help teach others how to grow fruits and vegetables.

 My long-term goal is to increase the quality and quantity of urban fruit production and small-scale commercial production. Medium-term goals are to identify varieties that produce high quality products through evaluations and field trials and publish successful management techniques through peer reviewed publications. My short-term goals are to teach fruit growing techniques to volunteers who supply Orchard labor and teach the community through demonstrations and a public fruit e-newsletter.

 By mid to late April there will be no fruit yet available but apricots and early peaches should be close. We will be nearing our end for asparagus production but there may be a bit left for harvesting. We may have some artichokes. We have 17 varieties of basil growing now for evaluation, about 22 varieties of tomatoes, six Asian type eggplant varieties, 15 varieties of asparagus, 12 varieties of sweet onions, about 15 varieties of garlic as well as apples, apricots, peaches, plums, Asian pears, European pears, table grapes, wine grapes, nectarines, pomegranates, persimmons, figs, almonds, pistachios, pluots, nectaplums, apriums, nopales, blackberries and others.