Briar Chapel Celebrates Earth Day with Local Foods, Environmental Education and 5K

Briar Chapel Celebrates Earth Day with Local Foods, Environmental Education and 5K

Chapel Hill, N.C. – April 6, 2011 - Briar Chapel by Newland Communities, the area’s largest green community, will host a series of events on April 16 to celebrate the idea that every day is Earth Day at Briar Chapel.

Starting with the 3^rd Annual Briar Chapel 5K Run at 9:00 a.m., the day will focus on wellness, protection of the environment and reliance on local resources as part of a healthy, sustainable lifestyle. The race follows a scenic road course throughout Briar Chapel, with water on the course and chip timing. Registration fees are $20 in advance and $25 on race day with proceeds benefitting The Abundance Foundation, a local nonprofit dedicated to educating the community about local food and renewable energy. Pre-registrants will receive a recycled materials t-shirt.

From1:00 to 2:00 p.m., Chef Colin Bedford from the Fearrington House Restaurant, Chef Jimmy Reale of the Carolina Inn and Chef Gregg Hamm and Kelly Taylor of The Natural Chef Culinary Program at Central Carolina Community College will showcase menu items recently created for Chatham County Schools, through a program designed to improve school lunch programs in the county. Dubbed the Chef Challenge, the idea was conceptualized by Superintendent Robert Logan in conjunction with Briar Chapel and The Abundance Foundation. Chefs from other area restaurants including Angelina’s Kitchen and Saxapahaw General Store and Bean and Barrel will also be on site to share dishes featuring locally grown food ingredients.

Additionally, local farmers, nonprofits and residents will offer educational demonstrations on topics such as renewable energy and composting in the Briar Patch, Briar Chapel’s newest park and community garden tended to entirely by residents. Representatives from local businesses, including Fullsteam Brewery will offer samples of their products. From 2:00 to 3:00 p.m., local author Jonathan Bloom will share insights from his latest book, American Wasteland, where he chronicles the waste of food from farm to fork, examines its impact and offers solutions, and will offer ways residents can reduce food waste in their own homes.

“It’s the little things – the changes you can make at home – that sometimes have the biggest impact on our environment,” said Keith Hurand, senior vice president and division manager for Newland Communities Carolinas division. “We are honored to again host local organizations and individuals passionate about spreading these ideas.”