Please join us in the lobby of City Hall and then hear the mayor's proclamation that the week of October 22 - 26 will be declared Food Week Austin.

Area schools will pick a two week period, starting with the week of Food Day, through December 14th to collect healthy foods from a suggested list to stock area food pantries.  There are incentive prizes, with the grand prize being the "Healthy to the Core" traveling trophy and representatives of the school will be allowed to "trip the switch" that lights up the entire Riverside Park on Thanksgiving Day.  The Rotary lights remain lit every night through December 31st.This is a collaborative effort of the Coulee Region Childhood Obesity Coalition, Rotary Lights organization and the LaCrosse Area Hunger Task Force. 

What’s the latest on the 2012 Farm Bill?

As of this month, our nation’s food and farm policy in the form of the 2008 Farm Bill has officially expired, with no workable replacement moving forward in Congress. This has left critical programs high and dry with no funding – and means Congress dodged the chance to make real reforms and an investment in an equitable, sustainable future for food and farms in America.

With no new farm bill or extension, the programs that address rural and urban job creation, training opportunities for beginning farmers, natural resource conservation, and access to healthy food are in big trouble.

Can Congress still finish a farm bill this year?  YES! 

There is a short window of time for Congress to finish the bill when they return to DC after Election Day.  So when Congress returns to the Hill, we’ll need YOU and other farmers and advocates across the country to tell them loud and clear:  we need an equitable, sustainable 2012 Farm Bill!

On October 24^th the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition and allies across the nation are launching a major grassroots effort to make our voices heard.

In celebration of Food Day on October 24th, sign your name to a petition telling Congress we need a 2012 Farm Bill that:

• Invests in the future of healthy farms, food, and people
• Protects our precious air, soil, and water
• Reforms farm subsidies and levels the playing field. 

Find the petition here on October 24:  http://sustainableagriculture.net/take-action/

Spread the word and share it with your friends!

Multiple City Resolutions recognizing that obesity is a serious public health threat to the well-being of adults, children, and families in the Central Valley of California..

In honor of Food Day, The Long Foundation, Inc. is proudly joining forces again this year with the Alachua County Government, the City of Gainesville, and the Martin Luther King, Jr., Commission of Florida, Inc. to "Strike Out Hunger" in Alachua County.

This week-long food drive will take place November 1st-7th. Last year, the Strike Out Hunger Food Drive was an overwhelming success. Nearly 67,000 pounds of non-perishable food was collected. In addition, $7,400 was raised with which we were able to purchase 562 Turkeys and fill 550 Baskets all the fixings for a Thanksgiving dinner. With the help of nearly 70 community organizations and individuals, we distributed food to 1,700 of our neighbors. 

This year with your help, we know we can do even better! Let's Strike Out Hunger in Alachua County!  

The first floor of J&R, filled with high tech gizmos, may be paradise for parents but upstairs the new J&R Jr. is a candyland for kids! The Creative Kitchen has teamed up with J&R Jr. to offer hands-on cooking classes. Kids make age-appropriate recipes that focus on  themes, colors, numbers, and shapes. Toddlers have fun with their adult chaperone (required) cooking and eating and a delicious dish in each class. Icing on the cake–kids have a blast making food related arts and crafts! (Ages 2 to 5.)

Class meets weekly.

Cost: $45/class; $400/session

To register please contact The Creative Kitchen at 718-406-7506.

This class brings age-appropriate recipes to toddlers and their families, with a special focus on themes, colors, numbers and shapes. No playing pretend here! Kids whip-up recipes in a real culinary kitchen! Parents learn how to get toddlers to help in the kitchen and incorporate new, wholesome foods into the family’s diet. (Ages 2.5 to 5)

Cost: $40/class; $480/session

To register please contact Manhattan Youth at 212-766-1104.

Join us for our FREE Xhibition Kitchen Cooking Classes

Healthy Cooking consists of an educational foundation by our Nutritionist Christine McCarthy Clark and practicum experience by Executive Chef Tom Barton. Students will learn the valuable tools needed to live a healthier life and enjoy it, as well.

Conducted by:

• Tom Barton – Executive Chef
• Christine M. Clark – Nutritionist
• Chris Jennings – Quality Assurance

50 Students per class (first come first serve)

Xhibition Kitchen is located inside of Stetson West Eatery

Sponsored by Northeastern University Dining

Must be a Northeastern University Student.

Make and eat lunch with The Creative Kitchen at NYC’s most beloved indoor tree house then have a splash in the water play area, no need to wait an hour after eating! Cricket Azima and The Creative Kitchen present a hands-on cooking series. Recipes feed the brain and the belly, focusing on age-appropriate themes such as numbers, colors and shapes. Children will experience different flavors, textures and recipes as they cook their own lunches! Adult participation required. (Ages 2.5 to 5.)

Class meets weekly.

Cost: $40/class; $560/session

To register please contact City Treehouse at 212-255-2050.