Everyone knows my main blog is a humor one, or at least a reasonable facsimile thereof. But this is not a joking matter--the Community Food Bank of NJ is in deep trouble. The shelves are nearly bare. Several NJ bloggers are working to raise awareness, and a little cash, to help out.
From the website:
The Community FoodBank of New Jersey works to provide support to over 1,600 agency programs that partner with us in the fight against hunger and poverty. These partners are nonprofit organizations that operate the following types of programs and services:
Emergency food pantries
Soup kitchens
Shelters and on-site residential programs
Senior feeding programs
Child care centers
Afterschool programs
Group Homes
Summer camps
As the economic situation in our country continues to decline, more and more of our fellow citizens in our state are relying on food banks to have enough to get the family through the week.
Some seniors have to choose between food and medicine, while some working poor have to decide whether they can afford to eat or not tonight.
This is a bank that can't fail. They need our help, and fast. My budget is stretched pretty thin, but I usually manage to find enough cash for a fast food lunch or two per week. I've stopped that, and plan to donate the savings to the Food Bank. If each of us can do a little, it will mean a lot.
http://cfbnj.convio.net/site/PageServer?
Monday, December 8, 2008
Saturday, December 6, 2008
Slow Food
The Slow Food Movement started in Italy in 1986 in response to the McDonaldization of Italy. The impetus for the group was McDonald's plan to open a restaurant near the Spanish Steps in Rome.
In a nutshell, part of what they do is preserve the specialty foods of a region, and help save heirloom varieties of various foods. This is in addition to stopping the spread of fast food, obviously. They seem to embrace the idea that food, while fuel, is also something to be enjoyed to the fullest. And scarfing down a quarter pounder with cheese after zipping through the drive through isn't savoring, it's surviving. Meals should be more than that. We take the time to sit and enjoy a holiday feast. Why can't every day have at least a bit of that attitude?
Wholesome food can be prepared quickly in about the time it takes to drive over to the clown's place. A buck for a cheeseburger may seem like a bargain and a half, but it is usually accompanied by fries and a drink. A really nice dinner can be prepared at home for the same price per serving or less. Also, consider that a fast food dinner creates so much garbage with the box or bag it comes in, the tiny aluminum package for the 1/2 teaspoon of ketchup, straws, and who knows what else. That cheap dinner is bad for your health, waistline, pocket, and the environment. Slow down, and have a nice dinner at home with those people who live in your house.
In a nutshell, part of what they do is preserve the specialty foods of a region, and help save heirloom varieties of various foods. This is in addition to stopping the spread of fast food, obviously. They seem to embrace the idea that food, while fuel, is also something to be enjoyed to the fullest. And scarfing down a quarter pounder with cheese after zipping through the drive through isn't savoring, it's surviving. Meals should be more than that. We take the time to sit and enjoy a holiday feast. Why can't every day have at least a bit of that attitude?
Wholesome food can be prepared quickly in about the time it takes to drive over to the clown's place. A buck for a cheeseburger may seem like a bargain and a half, but it is usually accompanied by fries and a drink. A really nice dinner can be prepared at home for the same price per serving or less. Also, consider that a fast food dinner creates so much garbage with the box or bag it comes in, the tiny aluminum package for the 1/2 teaspoon of ketchup, straws, and who knows what else. That cheap dinner is bad for your health, waistline, pocket, and the environment. Slow down, and have a nice dinner at home with those people who live in your house.
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