Weekend Reading

Things to Read

Congress is poised to gut most of the new nutritional requirements in the Healthy, Hunger Free Kids Act which regulates school lunch. Read more at the New American Foundation.

The Huffington Post also weighed in on the issue with their article - Congress Fights to Keep Pizza and Fries.

And there's more great reporting over at Better DC School Food on the lobbyists out to profit from school lunch by destroying the new nutritional standards. Remember when ketchup was a vegetable?  

The Institute of Medicine has released a new report which looks at the effectiveness of nutritional labels on food packaging and suggest a new point system that would indicate a food's overall healthfulness.

The Environmental Working Group has posted tips on keeping our kitchen safe and healthy over the holidays.

Petitions to Sign

From Food, Inc.:

Stop the Super Committee from Deciding Our Food Future in Secret!

Hello, The Farm Bill is a critical piece of legislation that determines our nation's agricultural, food access and food safety policies for the next ten years. Usually, it is debated and voted upon in an open process by all of Congress. But, the "Super Committee," tasked with cutting $1.2 trillion from our government spending, is currently rewriting the bill in secret. Within two weeks, this Committee will make recommendations for funding cuts of up to $48 billion. This drastic measure could cut important programs, from agricultural conservation initiatives to farmers market programs to food stamp benefits. Take action today and tell Congress that the Farm Bill should not be written in secret. Demand that your voice be heard. Thanks for your continued support, The Food, Inc. Team

Local Fun

Do Not Miss This: The  Garvies Point Museum in Glen Cove has their annual Native American Thanksgiving Feast. Sat & Sun 10-4. Authentic foods - some made over an open fire, pottery making, learn tool making and spear throwing and on and on.

Old Bethpage Restoration Village has their 1863 Thanksgiving Celebration with historic demonstrations, cooking, music and stories. Sat & Sun 10:30-3:30.

On Sunday, Bailey Arboretum hosts a family workshop from 2-3pm called "Hibernate, Migrate and Survive" as part of their Nature Adventure series.

Also on Sunday, Old Westbury House and Gardens has their "Feast for the Eyes" program for families where you can make a holiday centerpiece.