Weekend Reading

 Reading

 I love this blog - by a former big food marketer about the evils tricks of food marketers.

Better DC School Food has posted a great piece exposing the power of rebates from giant food manufacturers to school food providers like Chartwells.

I'm running a little late on this one, but What's for School Lunch posted an infographic in honor of National School Lunch week back in Oct. on, of all things, childhood obesity.

My kid just had her first Diet Coke at a pizza party. There are lots of reasons to avoid soda (sugar chemicals...) - including diet ones. The School Lunch Tray blog  just looked at schools banning sodas.  While Small Bites looks at why artificial sweetners are bad even if they won't kill you.

Things to Do

In Sunday, the Cradle of Aviation is hosting a Pumpkin Drop from 12-3. Bring your own or get one there.

On Saturday from 2:30-4:30, the Long Island Children's Museum will put on "Veggie Volume" as part of their Get Up and Go Series. A fun healthy educational workshop "ispired by the famous Vienna Vegetable Orchestra."

The Queens County Farm Museum has their Wildlife Weekend Sat. and Sun. from 12-4.  Tonight (Friday) they will also host an authentic 18th Century Tavern night.

Old Westbury House and Gardens  has a children's program on Origami Bird Sat. at noon.

Petitions to Sign


From the Center for Science in Public Interest:

Is supporting your local farmer, visiting your farmers market, CSA, food coop, or other local food source important to you?  What about having fresh, local food for your child’s school meals?  We have a unique opportunity for you to support local farmers and ranchers and to ensure your local food system continues to grow.

In the coming days, we will be joining members of Congress and other farm and food advocates in introducing the Local Farms, Food, and Jobs Act! Ideally, it will be included in the farm legislation that Congress will consider in the very near future as part of the deficit-reduction package.

The goal of the bill is to advance the development of local and regional farm and food systems from farm to table.  Local food systems not only hold potential for connecting consumers with where their food comes from, but also for boosting farm income, stimulating job creation and economic development, stabilizing rural America, and meeting public health and nutrition goals.
The bill will address the needs of consumers in accessing food from their local communities and the needs of farmers and ranchers producing for local and regional markets, including infrastructure and processing capabilities.  While there are growing “relocalization” efforts and local food economies are expanding across the nation, policy reforms are needed to overcome barriers and more fully capitalize on the new farming opportunities, jobs, and economic growth this sector can deliver.

Ask your two Senators and your Representative to co-sponsor the Local Farms, Food, and Jobs Act!

We need support from as many legislators as possible – and quickly.

Can we count on you to take action?

Sincerely,
Michael F. Jacobson