In the next Peak Moment TV program to be broadcast on local cable May 2 and 3, host Janaia Donaldson wonders what happens if you create 25 small groups to discuss food values and issues, and include a local farmer or food producer in each one.

Innovative organizers Judy Alexander, Dick Bergeron and Peter Bates facilitated the “Menu for the Future” groups to support local farmers and educate eaters. The results? Eaters changed their food choices, and the market for local food products expanded.

Alexander and Bates are involved with the Northwest Earth Institute (NWEI), a national leader in the development of innovative programs that empower individuals and organizations to transform culture toward a sustainable and enriching future. NWEI offers nine discussion guides for small groups. NWEI's self-guided discussion programs encourage participants to explore values, attitudes, and actions through discussion with other people. Learn more at http://www.nwei.org.

Peak Moment programs air every week at 7 p.m. on Monday and Tuesday on WCKN, Time Warner Channel 30 in Canton and Potsdam. Peak Moment explores locally reliant living for challenging times. The programs are underwritten locally by The Center for Excellence in Communication at Clarkson University and the Seymour Family of Potsdam.

More than 60 Peak Moment shows are available on DVDs which can be borrowed from the Potsdam Public Library from the collection of shows purchased for broadcast locally.