Monday, August 30, 2010

A Taste For Your Senses Cooking Class Schedule


September 2010 Schedule

We've got one month under our belt, and the reviews have been nothing short of FABULOUS!

Kick off you Fall with flavor and sign up for one of Chef Arturo Vargas' amazing classes TODAY!

All classes cost $30, materials included

* Wednesday, September 8  - 6:00pm-8:00pm
Tamale Class

Join us to learn how to make a healthy upgrade to a delicious favorite: Oaxaca-style vegetarian, wrapped in banana leaves.


* Thursday, September 16  - 6:00pm to 8:00pm  
Mexican Independence Day Enchilada Class

What’s the difference between Oaxaca, Puebla, and Guerrero? Learn how to prepare authentic and healthy red, black, and green enchiladas.


*Tuesday, September 21 -  6:00pm-8:00pm
Veggie Thai
Come and learn how to give your healthy vegetables the flair of Thai flavors.


*Wednesday, September 29  - 6:00pm-8:00pm
Pastabilities

Pasta is an easy, inexpensive dish to make but can become a boring routine. This class focuses on simple upgrades to add color, flavor, and nutrition.

Contact us at (530)-668-0690, or
email reception@foodbankyc.org.
Space is limited, so DON'T DELAY!

Food Fight!

"Food fight!!"  Those who are of a certain age will fondly recall the late John Belushi nealry inciting a riot with those two simple words in National Lampoon’s raucous comedy Animal House.  But as parents and students settle in to the new school year, there is another, more insidious food fight brewing: that between lunch versus dinner...or, more accurately, nutrition versus finance.



"In the effort to raise Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids, we don't want to risk compromising their dinner to improve their lunch."  This was the sentiment recently expressed by Nancy Rice, president of the School Nutrition Association (SNA) in the wake of the announcement that Congress had passed the Child Nutrition Reauthorization legisltaion that would, in essence, fund child nutrition programs by slashing SNAP (food stamps) benefits.  In a signed letter to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, one hundred six Representatives expressed outrage at being "forced to choose between jobs and healthcare or food for hungry people."  The signatories went on to say, "This is one of the more egregious cases of robbing Peter to pay Paul, and is a vote we do not take lightly."  The bill, passed by unaniomous consent without debate or a voice vote, would add an additional $4.5 billion over 10 years to, among other things, improve meal quality for school lunches.  More than $2 billion of the added funds to the school programs will be generated by reducing food stamp benefits.



The latest studies show that, as of May of this year, participation in the food stamps program reached a record high 40 million people.  Incidentally, the program has set records for participation for 18 straight months. As we brace for the crunch that increased need, coupled with decreased food stamp benefits will undoubtedly cause, we urge you to continue supporting the Food Bank and other organziations throughout Yolo County who work diligently to feed our community's hungry and chronically poor residents.  To learn more about the various ways you can help, please contact us today at (530) 668-0690 or visit us on the web at: http://www.foodbankyc.org/.

(Data Courtesy of Foodlinks America)

Wednesday, August 25, 2010

Help! I Seem To Have Lost $14 billion!


In what is being billed as an unprecedented amount of proposed budgets cuts, federal lawmakers are now considering reducing food stamp funding to the tune of a staggering $14.1 billion over 10 years.  The proposed cuts would diminish the current average monthly food stamp benefits for an average family of 4 from $133.77, to $59 per month. 

Read the entire story here:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/08/17/proposed-cuts-to-food-sta_n_683162.html

Friday, August 20, 2010

FREE Summer Gardening Tips Class!

H.E.A.L Program

Presented By: Steve Radosevich & Robert Dragoon




Come and learn at an interactive workshop class in conjunction with Food Bank of Yolo County about summer and winter gardening strategies and techniques!




DATE:  August 25, 2010

TIME:  10:30am-11:30am

WHERE:  1244 Fortna Avenue, Woodland, CA 95776


For more information, and to confirm your attendance, please contact: Jessica Trumble at:  jtrumble@tuleyome.org 
or via phone: (530) 350-2599.




Drop in for a few minutes or an hour with your gardening questions!


Friday, August 13, 2010

Interactive Food Preserving Class!

H.E.A.L Program

Presented By:  Florentino Castellon

Come and learn at an interactive workshop class in conjunction with Food Bank of Yolo County about the best ways to preserve food!


 August 18, 2010

10:00am-11:00am

At the Food Bank!
1244 Fortna Avenue,
Woodland, CA 95776








For more information, please contact:
Jessica Trumble at: 
or via phone number:
(530) 350-2599.  


How Well Do You Know Melon?

Melons are rich in iron, contain twice the calcium that spinach has and has twice the amount of potassium that bananas have. Melons contain lots of Vitamin A, which is very important for several functions of the body.  Melons are a good source of Vitamin C, have a high water content, are relatively low in calories, and also fat and cholesterol-free.

When shopping for a Honeydew Melon, choose one whose skin has a slight waxy feel to it which means it is ripe.  They will be firm with a small amount of softness at the stem and will be fairly large.  Those that weigh about 5 pounds have the best flavor and sometimes the seeds of an especially sweet melon will rattle when shaken.

Good quality Watermelons will be firm, evenly-shaped, and heavy for its size.  The flesh of cut melons should have a fresh, firm texture, and the seeds should be fully mature and hard.  Watermelons do not ripen any further when they are cut from the vine.  Avoid watermelons that are partially pale green or white, soft overall, or that are leaking white fluid.

Good Cantaloupes will have yellow/orange coloring and be slightly soft on the stem and firm elsewhere.  The longer a cantaloupe stays on the vine, the sweeter it will be.  Avoid choosing a cantaloupe with green coloring, soft or sunken spots, or dark and dirty spots that look moldy.

Thursday, August 5, 2010

Just Getting By

A recent report released by Foodlinks America stated that a staggering 61% of Americans claim to currently be living paycheck-to-paycheck.  To "make ends meet" today, 21%  of workers say they have had to forego putting money into retirement or savings accounts during the past six months. 

And, among those who have actually managed to save, almost half of them could only afford to sock away less than $100 per month.  This means, not only is their current economic situation a precarious one, but their entire futures could likely be compromised, as well.

In past times, it may have been easy for us to dissociate ourselves from statistics like this. 

However, it's clear that, as a society, apathy and blissful ignorance are luxuries that we can no longer afford.

Here at the Food Bank, the county-wide reversal of fortune we've witnessed is nothing short of shocking. Friends and neighbors who had once become donors have now, sadly, become our consumers. 

And, according to Foodlinks America, 61% of us are only a paycheck away from sharing their fate. That said, perhaps it's  time we begin to view the Food Bank - not simply as a community charity - but also,  as a community investment.  

For every dollar donation we receive, we're able to convert it into $11 worth of nurtritious food; and more than 70 food closets, soup kitchens and shelters rely on our resources to provide direct-service to thousands of homeless and chronically poor families throughout our region.

The Food Bank's ability to serve the community depends on the generosity of the volunteers, donors and businesses who help us achieve our mission.  This is one investment whose return is immediately apparent.  Giving back to the community is more than just helping those who are currently less fortunate than you.  By supporting the Food Bank, each of us is also ensuring that, in our potential time of need, there will be a vibrant organization in place to provide the critical support upon which our own families may be forced to depend.

If you would like to learn more about the many ways you can contribute to our community by partnering with the Food Bank, please contact us today.

Monday, August 2, 2010