Healthy food Find out how your everyday food decisions affect the environment and those who grow crops. As part of the Minnesota Project's mission to educate the community about sustainability and conservation, it will offer a "Centered on Sustainability" event from 6 to 8 p.m. Oct. 23. Atina Diffley, organic farmer and author of "Turn Here Sweet Corn: Organic Farming Works" will talk about our food relationship with land, nature and farmers. Megan O'Hara, wife of Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak, will give opening comments about the value of local and organic food. A book signing with Diffley follows the discussion.

The Minnesota Project event is in Bachman's Heritage Room, 6010 Lyndale Av. S., Mpls. Cost is $25 and includes appetizers and refreshments. To register, go to http://TrueValueofLocal.EventBrite.com or call 651-789-3325.

Harvest menu Food writer Beth Dooley will demonstrate how to "Eat Locally, Season Globally" by preparing a meal of tasty locally grown food paired with exotic spices, herbs and simple techniques borrowed from India, Vietnam and France. The meal includes three wine tastings, recipes and recommendations on where to find the best ingredients, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Oct. 25, Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, Chaska. Cost is $60; $50 for arboretum members. Register at www.arboretum.umn.edu/cookingclasses.aspx.

Last gasp Savor the end-of-the-season gardens at Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden this weekend. Naturalist-led wildflower walk will be at 4 p.m. Saturday and 4:30 p.m. Sunday and a "Family Garden Ramble" will be at 11 a.m. Saturday and 1 p.m. Sunday, 1339 Theodore Wirth Pkwy., Mpls. Free. Call 612-370-4903.

LYNN UNDERWOOD