08 Nov Sol Food Mobile Farm Rolls into our Hometown

I love going to the Farmer's Market.  In Austin, we're lucky enough to have several, offering such splendid displays of fresh veggies, breads, honey, teas, eggs, tacos, popcorn, and a mobile food bus display.  What?? 

The Sol Food Mobile Food Farm. On display at the Triangle Farmer's Market today, the farmer's school on wheels has been traveling around the country since June 20. With major stops at 10 cities, the 4 person team from Asheville, NC brings their national campaign of local food and renewable energy advocacy to local schools, markets and community centers.  This 57 passeneger school bus running on waste vegetable oil, has been retrofitted to become the most unique rolling classroom I've ever seen!  From the living green roof on the top to the wastewater collection system down below, this team has thought of everything.  Next to the living quarters is the green house.  Under a bench by the driver's seat hidden under a seat-cushion, is the vermacompost system.  The peel and stick solar panels came in handy during the long summer they spent in the southern U.S. In the center of the bus is a ladder for climbing up onto the roof.  From here you will find a patch of green succulents held securely to the bus frame by chicken wire.  Talk about a way to keep cool!

Over the six month tour, the Sol Food Mobile Farm teaches gardening workshops, constructing eight raised garden beds and planting vegetables from seeds.  Their program directives are divided into gardening, composting, alternative energies, nutrition and outdoor living.  Their goal is to help children connect with their community and the origins of their food.  When they rolled into Austin, they rolled into the right place!