Sarah Jerasa’s 4th and 5th grade class project on homelessness and hunger awareness at The Project School in Bloomington, Indiana, is a recipient of the What’s On Your Plate? Buy a Bundle – Give a Bundle Initiative.
Just a few weeks ago, we received a letter from Sarah Jerasa, one of the teachers in a combined 4th and 5th grade classroom at The Project School, a charter school in Bloomington, Indiana. She inquired about hosting a screening of What’s On Your Plate? this December on behalf of her students. She wrote: “Our students and school are truly passionate about working towards making change in our community and reaching out to other communities. I think our work would be really inspiring for others to see.” We are always looking for passionate kids like Sadie, Safiyah and Oliver, who are devoted to affecting positive social, political and environmental change. We did some research and found that The Project School’s mission and Ms. Jerasa’s class proposal were perfectly in line with our goals!
The Project School and What’s On Your Plate? share a commitment to inspiring kids to engage with issues that directly impacts their lives. The Project School describes their school curriculum as, “project-based, problem-based, and place-based” and “directly connected to issues in their local and global communities.”
Ms. Jerasa’s current class project focuses on issues that What’s On Your Plate? is very much concerned with: addressing homelessness and hunger on a local and global scale. When Ms. Jerasa wrote to us, the class had already watched What’s On Your Plate? and performed the calorie experiment from the film. Her class was so excited by the experience, they decided they would like to host a public screening of What’s On Your Plate? to raise funds to support the following hunger-focused initiatives:
- Funding a well for a village in Africa to provide clean water - Donating an animal for a community through the Heifer International Organization - Donating medical supplies and food to local shelters in their community.
The Project School’s focus on community engagement, and the student-led campaign to address homelessness and hunger motivated us to include Ms. Jerasa’s class project in our Holiday Buy a Bundle – Give a Bundle Initiative. We have no doubt The Project School will make amazing use of the What’s On Your Plate? bundles they receive. We hope you will join us in supporting Ms. Jerasa’s 4th and 5th grade class project on homelessness and hunger awareness!
Harlem Seeds is a recipient of the What’s On Your Plate? Buy a Bundle – Give a Bundle Initiative.
If you have the chance to make it to Harlem Seeds’ Harlem Family Dinner on December 16, chances are you might hear one of the following exclamations around the dinner table:
“This is delicious!”
“I never knew Kale could taste this good!”
And one of our favorites:
“What’s on your plate?”
Harlem Seeds, co-founded by sisters Michele Hatchette and Stephanie Mack, is a Harlem-based non-profit organization dedicated to empowering Harlem youth to fuel their bodies with clean, safe, and healthy foods.
We first met the women behind Harlem Seeds at a community screening of What’s On Your Plate? in Harlem on October 3, 2011. An instant connection was established. We were working towards the same end: educating and empowering youth to make happy, healthy and informed decisions about what they put in their bodies.
In November, we invited Harlem Seeds co-founder, Stephanie Mack, to speak at the What’s On Your Plate? Story Leads to Action event at the 92YTribeca. She was joined by two other panelists: Maritza Owens, founder of the Harvest Home Farmer’s Market and Deb Lewison-Grant co-founder of Food Fight.
Stephanie’s discussion with the audience was uplifting and exciting. She described different components of Harlem Seeds’ programming like the Cooking Club, a group of fifteen students that meet every Friday to cook and learn about making healthy food choices. She also described Harlem Seeds’ community outreach work, and the Thanksgiving Produce Bags they put together for GrowNYC to sell at La Marqueta just prior to Thanksgiving.
Stephanie talked about the philosophy behind Harlem Seeds. She mentioned the inspiring thought that maintaining a healthy lifestyle is a right we all share, and if we commit to that idea, making healthy choices can evolve from a burden to a means of empowerment.
Stephanie will be integrating the holiday bundles into the Harlem Seeds Harlem Family Dinner on December 16. We hope you will support their work, and buy a bundle and donate a bundle (or three!) to Harlem Seeds!
Text reads: You can tell if a fruit or vegetable is organic or non-organic by the PLU code. If the number begins with a 9 and is 5 digits, then it's organic. If the number begins with an 8 then it is GM. A label that with 4 digits was conventionally grown.
This picture displays a section of my science project that I did with my friend Petra. We did a project on GMOs. GMOs are Genetically Modified Organisms, which means they were injected with a different animal’s or plant’s genes. All animals, humans, and plants have genes inside their cells. Their genes determine the animal, human or plant’s gender, their eye color (for animals and humans), their height, and so on. Genes are like a computer document that each human, plant, or animal has with information about itself.
What if I told you that when you eat tomatoes that are not organic, you are probably eating fish tomatoes? Eeew, right? Well that is exactly what could be in your tomatoes. The reason it could be a fish tomato is because someone took a tomato gene out of a tomato, and replaced it with a fish gene. Think of it as if genes were guts, and someone replaced your regular insides of a tomato with fish guts. When I first heard this, I was freaked out. I was even more freaked out when I heard that this GMO stuff is not labeled, and therefore, it can be in any food I eat! Then, I learned that there is one type of food that is GMO-free: organic food. Organic foods contain no chemicals, and no GMOs.
Recently, my friend and I found out that there is a way to tell if something is genetically modified, conventionally raised (grown with chemicals), or grown organically. The clue is the PLU codes. What are PLU codes? PLU codes are Price-Look-Up codes. When typed into a certain computer program, they give the price information for a product. Where do you find them? The price-look-up code is only on produce, which means apples, tomatoes, and other unpackaged fruits or vegetables. There are many GMOs that are produce, but most of them are packaged. If they are packaged, they do not need a price-look-up code. Have a look at the PLU codes, and buy organic!
By Morgan Carmen
Milk and Jails, what’s the connection? If jails don’t serve milk to their inmates, how do these two things go together? The organization Milk NOT Jails provides this link, and is in the process of changing rural New York.
Upstate New York used to be affluent in agriculture and animal produce in the late 1820′s, until the infamous car boom. After the transition from boats and railways turned to cars, farmland became abandoned for various reasons, like highways. This is where prisons come in. The government needed space to implement the prison system and the abandoned land of Upstate New York provided it at the time. Now, nearly 100 years later, the American government values the penitentiary system more than much needed agriculture systems, or at least it seems so. I mean, if during the 1990′s a prison was built in rural New York every fifteen days, what does that say about America’s priorities?
The Milk NOT Jails organization strives to change the fact that Upstate New York’s economic success rides on a penal system and they need your help to do so. Join the Milk NOT Jails Campaign by signing up here. Spread the word, email all your friends about them. Fill out their survey that asks about grocery dairy choices by clicking here. For more information on this much needed project please visit their website.
Tyler and Eric, the people behind the Seeing Green project, are breaking new ground when it comes to urban agriculture. Many know that urban farms are an innovative way to grow produce locally in big cities, but what else is there to know? What makes urban farms so great? And will they work in any city?There has been very little research on urban farming, and Tyler and Eric are trying to change that.
Their main goal is to test theories about farming cities. One of the toughest things about urban farming is irrigation, so the Seeing Green project measures storm water management at two farms in New York City in order to obtain concrete data. There are many benefits to urban roof farming that cities do not acknowledge, simply due to lack of research and concrete data. Tyler and Eric are trying to change this by creating an experiment that can be replicated in cities around America. Part of Tyler and Eric’s research is geared toward making it more feasible for landlords and building owners to host farming on their roofs. There are many rules and regulations regarding this, and Tyler and Eric are trying to convince cities to make it easier for rooftop farming to happen. Tyler and Eric’s goals not only help cities create farms on rooftops, but also help promote food security and economic opportunities are only beginning their
Tyler and Eric, the people behind this research prospect need to raise $12,000 by June 12th, 2011, in order to pay for the equipment necessary to complete their research. If you are interested in contributing to this innovative cause, please….With a donation of $2,000 or more, Tyler and Eric will even visit your home town and host a workshop in your community to talk about their mission.
It’s getting close to graduation time, when we’ll see our interns leave and grow on to new opportunities. We decided to collaborate on one last lunch together before they have to go. I wanted to share with you our fun experience and tell you how easy it was to just walk into the store, pick up food and learn together about food prep. Build-Your-Own-Burritos is such a perfect meal idea for eaters who have different ingredient preferences. Here’s the recipe we used. We had more than enough for all of us, and everyone got to try different things we had never had before!
First, we used the recipe to see what ingredients we might need at the store. Then, we went to the fridge and found out that we only needed to go out to buy four things missing from our pantry and fridge. Afterward, it was off to the grocery store to pick up those things. The sun came out on a predominantly rainy day for our walk there and back, so we knew we were on the right track. From Kristy, we learned how to find a perfect mango, from Mary, how to choose and ripen an avocado and we all learned that beans are an incredibly inexpensive way to get nutrients (even in the relatively expensive neighborhood of Soho in New York.) Throughout our exercise, mushrooms were a point of contention- some of us disliked them, some of us were prejudiced against them, and some of us loved them. From assessing the fridge, to shopping at the grocery store, to over the stove, we heard strong differing opinions on the fungi. As an extremely biased eater, I’m happy to say that the noble baby portobella mushroom managed to convince at least two more hungry eaters that they aren’t “gross.”
Bria arrived to help chop and share her stories of her plans for her summer, and we set the table using a few of Tenzin’s tips from the WOYP? book: flowers on the table, cloth napkins for everyone, and mismatched dishes for all of our burrito ingredients. We all experimented with new styles of wrapping a tortilla around our piled food, tried at least one ingredient we didn’t think should be in a burrito, and generally enjoyed ourselves.
Bria, Reginald, Kristy, and Jermal
We wish all of our interns the best for their futures and hope to hear great news around the world about each very soon.
Hello, everyone it’s Reginald, and I am back to inform you about East New York Farms. It’s springtime, and farming is fun to do with your family and friends. I’m from Brooklyn, and I’ve never heard of a possibility like this. If you’re also living in Brooklyn, or you’re just interested in volunteering in a great organization, East New York Farms is open for volunteers.
How could you turn down a chance to educate yourself about urban agriculture? Help East New York Farms by participating in fun and exciting activities that will start your summer off right! Below is a list of skills and volunteer opportunities that East New York Farms displays on their volunteer page.
Skills: - Seeking volunteers, to host 1 hour activity for small children (children ranging 5 – 10 years old). - Must be enthusiastic, creative, friendly, patient and able to work well with kids - Must be 18 or over - Must be available to work outdoors from 11:30 – 1:00 on Saturdays Volunteers Needed – Children’s Story Hour Volunteer at our farmers’ market and coordinate Children’s Story Hour. We are looking for individuals who will commit to 3 Saturdays or more during our market season. You would receive community service hours.
Skills: - Seeking volunteers, to host 1 hour activity for small children (children ranging 5 – 10 years old). - Must be enthusiastic, creative, friendly, patient and able to work well with kids - Must be 18 or over - Must be available to work outdoors from 11:30 – 1:00 on Saturdays
Volunteers Needed – Children’s Story Hour
Volunteer at our farmers’ market and coordinate Children’s Story Hour. We are looking for individuals who will commit to 3 Saturdays or more during our market season. You would receive community service hours.
Image courtesy of TheNakedLabel.com
Hello, my name is Reginald Greene and I’m an intern at Aubin Pictures. When I found out I would be working here, I didn’t know what to expect. I just believed that I would be working in a field that I want to continue in for the rest of my life, journalism. I began to see perspective in my eating habits and how I wasn’t eating the way I was supposed to. Before I watched What’s On Your Plate?, my eating habits were not healthy.
In the movie, I witnessed many parts that I thought were interesting. In particular, I found interest in the in-depth interviews by the main characters in the film, Sadie and Safiyah. I wondered, as they did, why food that was better for you cost more than fast food? When I finished the movie, I had a revelation about how my eating habits could lead me to become like Caleb’s dad in the movie. I was concerned that I could have a heart attack.
Now, I eat salad and fruits. I haven’t eaten a meal at McDonald’s in a week, and I feel like I haven’t missed anything about it. What I figured out was that the healthier food tastes better and costs less. Pineapples, strawberries, and cantaloupe are a few of my new found cravings. I always liked fruit, but now after watching the movie, I’m beginning to realize that I’m becoming an adult, and I need to make adult decisions. I’m doing this now by changing the way I eat.
Image credit to Mike Keefe of the Denver Post, 2008
Hello again everyone!
I think a good place to begin looking at the true cost of our food is to consider the impact of subsidies based on the U.S. Farm Bill.
Even though that conventional pear has a price tag that tells you it costs 20 cents less than the organic pear right next to it, that is not really the case.
The money you might think you’re saving by purchasing non-organic food has actually already been spent by you on subsidies for large-scale, industrial agriculture when you pay taxes.
As author David Becker points out, “Conventional farmers receive subsidies in the Farm Bill: more than $3 billion per year for corn and wheat alone… One calculation estimated the national all-in subsidy for industrially grown agriculture at $80 billion per year. That’s $725 per American household.” In other words, American families are already spending hundreds of dollars every year to fund the crops that form the base of unhealthy, processed foods.
Of course, you will still have to pay those taxes even if you are buying organic instead of conventionally-produced food – pretty discouraging!
But that’s why it’s so important we fight to change the agricultural subsidy policy and level the playing field… And now is a great time to fight, because the U.S. Farm Bill is soon due to be revised.
This bill is the most influential legislation shaping our country’s food system, including not only agricultural subsidies, but also issues such as food stamps and conservation. Legally, it must be renewed every 5 years, and the current bill will expire in 2012 – now just months away.
If you’re interested in learning more about the Farm Bill, check out this clip of Ken Cook (president of the Environmental Working Group) delivering his presentation “Turning the Farm Bill into the Food Bill”: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z6T37m4r3yo&p=CE159C603C7ED781
If you want to voice your opinion about the upcoming bill, click this link to “tell your representative that you want a fair, equitable food system that begins to help the country heal its dietary and environmental woes”: http://action.ewg.org/p/dia/action/public/?action_KEY=1913&utm_source=2011q1update&utm_medium=email&utm_content=third-link&utm_campaign=fund
Some further reading:
David Becker’s complete article: http://friendofthefarmer.com/2010/03/rich-people-need-organic-food-to-survive-right/
Dan Imhoff explains the 2007 Farm Bill and why it matters to everyone: http://www.ecoliteracy.org/essays/food-fight-2007-farm-bill
Mark Bittman’s ideas about how to improve the Farm Bill: http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/03/01/dont-end-agricultural-subsidies-fix-them/?ref=farmbillus
The resources that are needed to eat more healthy are out there and I want to let you know about one organization in particular, that’s starting a “revolution” about healthy living.
What caught my eye about, Being Healthy Is A Revolutionary Act is that the website is built not only for their information and purpose, but also showcases other healthy ideas, that are beginning their own movement. The website has books, videos and people who are producing the best information that could be helpful to individuals (like me) who want to improve their health. Majora Carter who is noted as, “an urban planning visionary” for Being Healthy Is A Revolutionary Act, is also a project advisor for “What’s On Your Plate?.” This is interesting, because she’s making strides for change in her firm, The Majora Carter Group. Her ideas have been practiced in states like North Carolina and New Orleans.
Being Healthy Is A Revolutionary Act speaks for itself, but also highlights other ideas or thoughts which makes this website and organization insightful and promising. Different underground health organizations like this one will lead to change for individuals who cannot find an outlet for a healthy way of life. After discovering this organization I feel inspired to educate my family and friends about how they could start their own revolutionary act. I don’t want to sound cheesy but I feel enlightened, which is an uncanny feeling in our society now.
