Co-chairs: Erica Mattison and Rick Reibstein (Rick.Reibstein@state.ma.us)

The Environmental Justice (EJ) Task Force was founded because environmental threats are important issues of social justice and urban development. We have a very wide view of our scope.  EJ has traditionally been viewed as pertaining to addressing disparate impacts – excessive pollution in poorer areas, polluters taking advantage of dis-empowered populations to site dangerous activities.  Our meetings have focused on this issue in general, such as discussing options for strategic enforcement with state officials, and in specific ways, such as accelerating progress in childhood lead poisoning prevention.  But the committee has also looked towards positive, green development of impacted areas, such as creating access to local, organic foods in inner cities and creating access to new green jobs for disadvantaged youth.  In all of our meetings we have sought to foster collaboration among key parties.

We hope you will join us in working collaboratively to end environmental injustices and promote the development of greener, safer, more beautiful communities for everyone.

Upcoming JALSA programs:

Oct. 29, JALSA Speaker Edith Murnane, Boston Food Policy Director
You may have seen in our previous e-mails that there has been an exciting set of reforms in Massachusetts recently, focusing on creating a more equitable and sustainable food system.   Among the most exciting of these reforms was the passage of the Massachusetts School Nutrition Bill, and Mayor Menino’s creation of a city “Director of Food Initiatives.”

As the state moves forward in implementing these new policies and structures, JALSA is proud to host Edith Murnane, the brand new Boston Director of Food Initiatives.  Ms. Murnane began her career as a chef in Boston who championed urban farming, and went on to serve as Manager for Sustainable Food Programs at Community Servings, a home-delivery hot meals program serving the home-bound with life-threatening diseases, (that JALSA leaders initiated many years ago).

Ms. Murnane will be speaking about her plans for the new position, particularly how her work will be affected by the newly passed School Nutrition Bill and Food Policy Council Bill.  We encourage you to come join this important discussion.

Friday, October 29, 12:30-1:30pm.  Please feel free to bring lunch.
The JALSA Office.
18 Tremont Street, Suite 320
Boston, MA 02108
We expect this to be a popular event.  To save your seat, RSVP to jalsaoffice@gmail.com

Nov. 12, JALSA Speaker, Gus Schumacher

JALSA is pleased to host another innovative leader in the healthy, sustainable food movement.  Gus Schumacher, chairman of Wholesome Wave, is a leader in the “prescription vegetables” movement.

This innovative pilot program will enable doctors at three health centers in Massachusetts to treat families struggling with health and obesity, by writing “prescriptions” that can be used at local farmers markets to buy fruits and vegetables to feed their families.  By providing coupons that can purchase food at Farmers Markets and other outlets, the program is designed to close the gap between healthy local food and fast-food dollar menus, promoting both health, sustainable farming practices and local economies.  Join us to hear Gus speak about this innovative new pilot program that could be a model for the whole country.

Click here to see an New York Times article about Prescription Vegetables and Gus Schumacher

Friday, November 12,   12:30-2pm.
Please feel free to bring lunch.
JALSA Office
18 Tremont Street, Suite 320
Boston, MA 02108

We expect this event to be very popular.  Save your seat by emailing jalsaoffice@gmail.com

Upcoming Events in the Community:

Sept. 25; Codman Square Energy Fair

Food! Fun! Music! Children’s Activities! GREEN Workshops! Free Stuff!  Learn how you can save money by fighting climate change by saving energy at home and having FUN while you do it!

Do you have GREEN information, products or services? Then contact Owen at the Green Neighbors at 617-427-6293 or otoney@juno.com

Saturday, September 25,  10:00 am-2:00 pm
Hosted at the Second Church in Dorchester.
Rev. Dr. Victor Price, Pastor.
600 Washington Street
In the Codman Square section of Dorchester.
(The big white church in Codman Square.)

Sponsored by the Green Neighbors Education Committee.
Co-Sponsored by some of your favorite greater Codman Square area organizations: The Second Church in Dorchester, The Community Improvement Association (CIA), Unity Sports and Cultural Club, The B.O.L.D. Teens, The Codman Square Neighborhood Council, The Dorchester YMCA, The Codman Square Neighborhood Development Corporation, The Greater Four Corners Action Coalition, The Blue Hill Boys & Girls Club, The Codman Square Health Center, The Perkins Community Center, The Talbot-Norfolk-Triangle Neighbors United, The Codman Square Health Center, and The City of Boston Office of Environmental & Energy Services

Sept 29; Food Sustainability

The Role You Can Play in the Sustainable Food Movement.

Organized by Suffolk University sustainability program.  Special invitation to JALSA members by Suffolk Sustainability Coordinator and  JALSA Environmental Justice Committee Co-Chair, Erica Mattison.

Come learn about the sustainable food movement.  We will show an inspiring documentary and have a panel on hand to take part in a conversation about local food efforts.

Wednesday, September 29, 6-8pm
Location: 73 Tremont Street, Amenities Conference Room,
at Suffolk University.

Stay tuned for information about the panelists.
Email recycle@suffolk.edu for more information

Oct. 7 : Effects of the Gulf Oil Spill

Hear a first-hand account of the effects of the Gulf Oil Spill
Hosted by the Environmental Studies and Environmental Science Program at Suffolk University.  Special invitation to JALSA members by Suffolk Sustainability Coordinator and  JALSA Environmental Justice Committee Co-Chair, Erica Mattison

Suffolk University adjunct professor Ken Finkelstein will discuss his experience in responding to the Deepwater Horizon oil spill along the Gulf of Mexico coastline. Ken is an employee of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and spent 4 weeks in Louisiana and Alabama assessing oil coverage and injury to the shoreline. The presentation will include a liberal use of photographs and web sites that will allow the audience to learn of the nature and extent of the oiling. Much of the presentation are his personal views and may not reflect NOAA’s final scientific judgment. No recording – oral or video – is permitted.

Time: 1-2:30pm
Location: Munce Conference Room, 1st Floor, Archer Building, 20 Derne Street, Beacon Hill
Lunch will be provided.  To sign up to attend, email greensuffolku@gmail.com by October 1.