Irony in Sustainability, Friday Edition

[Ed. Note: This is like the 5th time I've posted this. Sorry. Technical difficulties. Please enjoy your regularly scheduled programming.]

Clearly I love food, and sustainability.  Equally clearly, I feel pretty strongly that making food expensive is not a great way to make it sustainable.  So, then, you can understand the mixed emotions I have over the following totally awesome if it weren't $1,000 per seat event this fall.

The Heirloom Vegetable Auction at Sothebys:

"Just in time for the 2010 harvest season, Sothebys New York will host the inaugural Tri-State Heirloom Vegetable auction, The Art of Farming, on September 23, 2010. This first-of-its-kind event will celebrate edible heirlooms and the art involved in their creation."

Now, I'll admit, there's not much use in a starting a movement without wealthy patrons.  Just ask GAVI, Michelangelo or the Catholic Church.  And there's no better way to hook those patrons than with an exclusive event, just for them, that auctions off equally exclusive activities for their children.  It's just too bad that it's so expensive that the demographic that need a food revolution the most can't afford to think about going to this event.  In other words, those who can afford a seat at this event already buy hormone- and pesticide-free, locally grown food, and shop exclusively at Whole Foods.  Meanwhile, the people who have to travel 50 blocks for healthy food options get another McDonalds.

What redeems this event - and I sound more negative than I feel, I'm sure - is the following:

"The Art of Farming will coincide with and kick-off the 2010 Eat Drink Local week in New York City, the annual celebration of the local food chain, co-produced by Edible magazines and GrowNYC. All proceeds from the event will benefit the GrowNYC New Farmers Development Project, which identifies, educates and supports immigrants with agricultural experience to become local producers and establish farms in the region, and The Sylvia Center, a program that inspires and teaches children to eat well through hands-on experiences at Katchkie Farm and in school and community centers all over New York City."

GrowNYC is way cool.  They're the people who bring us the NYC Greenmarket. And the NYC Greenmarket kicks serious ass.  Why?  It provides locally grown, healthy food options smack in the middle of neighborhoods where produce is only available at the corner store.  Further, you can use food stamps to purchase foods at the Greenmarket.  So, again, super cool.

So, if this is how we fund THAT initiative, then I think this $1,000 per seat auction is a great idea.