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Great event with a bunch of inspiring teachers at GMAC last Wednesday night. Growing Change is a really fascinating film about the global food crisis and it was really good to be talking with a range of educators about how we can help the next generation think about these issues. They’re not going to go away…

If you were at the Farmers Market at Lomond Shores on Sunday 2 Sept, you would have to have been quick to see us talking to punters about the impact of bankers gambling on food prices. Sadly Lomond Shores management didn’t feel that we could talk to members of the public on their privatised public space…..and we didnt have prior permission to wear bowler hats and aprons.

Hopefully they’ll welcome us back with open arms when we let them know in advance next time. Well done to the 20 or so people who were interested and concerned enough to get in quick with their action cards!

We handed over a copy of the petition about food commodity speculation to Catherine Stihler MEP. The committee vote on EU proposals to tighten regulation is on Monday 9 July, so we wanted to make sure that MEPs hear the public’s concern. More than 2000 people had signed the petition, which is a huge number for such an obscure subject. Catherine Stihler supports our campaign aims for tighter regulation, which is great. We’re still lobbying other MEPs – get in touch if you want to know more.

Hundreds of people from across Glasgow and the West of Scotland stopped to try our lucky dip at Gibson Street Gala, and were horrified to hear that the UK government is planning to ‘help’ poor countries adapt to climate change by giving loans through the World Bank. After all, we’ve all learned from the banking crisis that the answer to debt is yet more lending…

More than 120 people wrote letters to their MP on the spot, to show their concern. Oh, and our friend the polar bear had a nice day out in the West End too…

We went along with our friends in WDM Edinburgh to meet with Alyn Smith MEP. We wanted to talk to Alyn about food commodity speculation – the way that banks and other financial idiots are forcing millions into chronic hunger. He was very supportive of stronger European legislation, which just might happen later this year. We’re going to try to meet other MEPs soon too.

See www.wdm.org.uk/food-speculation for more info about the lunacy of gambling on food.

Good discussions with the shoppers at the West End Farmers Market on Saturday. Perhaps not surprisingly, the good people of the West End don’t trust bankers more than anyone else. So lots signed campaign cards to tell the UK government that it’s time to regulate the nonsense of food speculation.

Look out for more opportunities to join the campaign soon…