The Food Bank of Yolo County and Einstein Education Center have partnered to host cooking classes for students to promote healthy eating. Over the course of the six-week series, students have learned how to prepare simple but nutritious meals from a variety of cultures. Ryan Gamba, the nutritionist at the Food Bank of Yolo County, uses the hands-on experience of cooking as an opportunity to encourage healthy habits outside the traditional classroom setting.

SN&R Green Guide Feast not famine 11.26.09

Thank you to Durst Organic Growers for your ongoing support and to Julie Cross for a great article!

SN&R Green Guide Feast not famine 11.26.09

Running of the Turkeys

Thank you to everyone who participated in the inaugural Running of the Turkeys yesterday! The 3-mile run/1.5 mile walk was held at Nelson's Grove in Woodland. Special thanks to Jennean Rogers who envisioned the event and mobilized her family and community to pull it together. Thank you to the sponsors listed below and stay tuned for the grand total raised!

Woodland Healthcare

Hunter Ad Specialties

Yolo County YMCA

Joe Muller & Sons

Payne Brothers Ranches

Chamberlain Farms

Jose and Julia Martinez

Bullseye Farms

Ag-Seeds Unlimited

TSL Seed Company

More Facing Hunger

New USDA report on food insecurity shows increase in those facing hunger- even before the worst of the downturn

Household Food Security in the United States, 2008

Healthy Turnip Recipes

As promised, here are Ryan's healthy recipes for the veggie of the month: turnips!

Mashed Turnatoes
1 Large Turnip, peeled and cubed
3 white potatoes, peeled and cubed
¼ cup milk
2 tbls. unsalted butter
Salt and Pepper to taste
diced onions (optional)

Directions:
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Place turnip and potatoes in a large pot with enough water to cover, and bring to a boil. Cook 25 to 30 minutes, until tender. Remove from heat, and drain. Mix the milk and 2 tablespoons butter with the turnip and potatoes. Season with salt and pepper. Mash until slightly lumpy. Transfer turnip mixture to a small baking dish. Cover loosely, and bake 15 minutes in the preheated oven.
Remove cover, and continue baking about 8 minutes, until lightly browned.

Turnip and Carrot Soup
2 tbsp. chopped onion
2 tbsp butter
2 tbsp flour
1 qt milk
1 c grated raw carrots
1 c grated raw turnips
Salt and Pepper to taste

Directions
Saute onion in butter for a few minutes. Blend in flour; add milk gradually, carrots and turnips, salt and pepper. Cook stirring frequently, until carrots and turnips are tender, about 10 minutes. Serves 4.

Give them a try and let us know how they turn out!

Pioneer High School Cheers Our Efforts

Thank you to the Cheer Team at Pioneer High School for collecting money in coin banks to support the Food Bank. Their efforts raised a total of $386.53 with more to come! The issue of hunger resonated with them particularly when they counted off in fives to illustrate that one out of every five children in Yolo County lives in poverty and may be going to bed hungry. We are happy to partner with the Cheer Team at Pioneer High and all of our community partners to ensure that every child in Yolo County has enough to eat.

November Veggie of the Month: Turnips!

The Moveable Market program's veggie of the month is turnips! While the turnip itself is helpful in ensuring a healthy dose of fiber, the turnip green is actually the most nutritious part of the plant. Turnip greens can be prepared in similar ways to mustard greens.

Stay tuned for more on the healthy recipes our nutritionist, Ryan, is preparing using turnips. In the meantime, share with us your favorite way to cook or eat a turnip.

Organic farmer cousins receive award from LWV - Daily Democrat Online

Thank you to the Durst family for their generous contributions over the years!
Organic farmer cousins receive award from LWV - Daily Democrat Online