Here are a couple book readings for those interested in the local food system, including one this Wednesday.

Slow Money NC founder Carol Hewitt has written a book, "Financing Our Foodshed," about how the group helped finance businesses of local food entrepreneurs, sustainable farmers, bakers, restaurateurs and others.

Her first book event is at 7 p.m. Wednesday at The Regulator Bookshop in Durham. If you cannot attend Wednesday's reading, Hewitt has three other readings across the Triangle:

• 2p.m. Saturday at McIntyre's Books in Fearington Village.
• 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at Quail Ridge Books & Music in Raleigh.
• 7 p.m. May 29 at Flyleaf Books in Chapel Hill.

Also worth noting is a reading this Friday in Durham with Wenonah Hauter, executive director of Food & Water Watch. A champion of local food, Hauter's new book, "Foodopoly: The Battle Over the Future of Food and Farming in America," discusses the massive consolidation and corporate control of food production. She will be at Durham's The Regulator Bookshop at 7 p.m. Friday.

Slow Money NC is considering organizing a fundraising effort for a downtown Raleigh grocery store near Mordecai and Oakwood neighborhoods.

There will be a meeting 6-8 p.m. Monday at Market restaurant at 938 N. Blount Street in Raleigh for residents to learn how they can engage in this project as investors, supporters and consumers.

Market chef Chad McIntyre and Josh Whiton of Raleigh City Farm are interested in opening a grocery store adjacent to the restaurant's new location in a revitalized building on Franklin Street between N. Person and Blount streets. (Escazu Chocolate, Yellow Dog Bakery and a local leather artisan are planning to move to this building as well, according to the press release.)

Slow Money NC, based in Pittsboro, raises money from local people to offer affordable loans to sustainable farmers and local food business owners. In two years, they have helped loan almost $600,000.