The median quality of life is perhaps best measured by the readily available access to the basic necessities of life. In its own way, it is a measure of success for the sociological development and a prime indicator of sociological sustainability. There are four keys to improve the median quality of life that are sadly lacking in modern society. These are viable education rather than merely teaching to the test, and including options for vocational and technical training for those people who are less capable of learning in a more scholastic environment; real-world, paying opportunities for those who have received an education; accomplishing this without the creation of a dependency class; and perhaps most important of all, the ability to provide all of this without overly burdening those who are already productive and contributing members within a society or community development.

Merchantville’s Green Team planted two wildflower gardens last October in the town's two "no mow" zones. These natural gardens and pollinator habitats are located on the lawns adjacent to the bike path trail along West Chestnut Avenue started sprouting lots of black-eyed susan this week and we can't wait to see what else will blossom this summer. These areas provide an excellent habitat for pollinators such as native bumble bees. These zones allow plants to flower which in turn provides a place for pollinators to stop and have a meal.

What can an Incredible Edible group do relating to the business plate? Just by growing food in public places, allowing people to see plants in the ground and harvesting the produce when it’s ready, you’re encouraging people to think about where their food comes from – and that isn’t a vacuum packed plastic tub from the supermarket. There are other things you can do so people think about where their food comes from when they decide what they’re next going to spend their well-earned money on. Our own Eclipse Brewing is a super example spinning the IE business plate.

We had a double drop off of plastic bags this week, putting our current total to 152 pounds and the chance to win a FREE recycled park bench form TREX! Shout out to our #BinIt2WinIt hero, Terri James Porter, who collected the plastic bags in my absence. Don't forget, drop offs can be made at Blue Monkey Tavern, Ryan's Retail, and at the Merchantville Market Off Centre. We accept grocery bags, bubble wrap, case overwrap, clean ziploc/bread bags, newspaper sleeves, etc. are all accepted. Please combine your materials in a single larger bag and compact it as much as possible before tying it up. We're making great progress to our 500 lb. goal!