| Doing Good Together Newsletter |
| Helping strengthen kids and communities through family volunteerism... |
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Fresh, local, nourishing foods are good fuel for our bodies, and they're healthier for the earth, too. In fact, there are a host of ethical and environmental issues that arise from the way our food is produced, including the chemicals used in agriculture, the impact of factory farming on animals, and the sometimes unfair treatment of farm workers. Discussing these issues with your children can help you make healthy food choices - for both your family and your planet.
Jenny Friedman, Executive Director
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| BE A HEALTHY FOOD COACH |
Make a difference.....
A few simple steps can help you make better food choices.
- Begin with your own family:
- Plant a vegetable garden this spring. (If you don't have room or proper sun, look for a local community garden.)
- Visit a farm to see where your food originates, or chat with sellers at a farmers' market.
- As much as possible, serve local, seasonal foods.
- Engage in thoughtful, sustainable grocery shopping. That could mean supporting stores that carry local and organic foods, food cooperatives, farmers' markets and CSAs (Community Supported Agriculture).
 - Remind yourself of the most important foods to eat organic, along with the ones least affected by pesticides.
- Cook meals together. Food preparation is an essential life skill. The ability to cook simple, wholesome foods could mean a lifetime of healthy eating for your children.
- Get involved in the campaign for higher-quality food in our schools. Check out the organization Better School Food to get involved.
- Host a special dinner party to educate others on how to buy and cook sustainably. Details can be found at www.sustainabletable.org.
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THE PHILOSOPHY OF BETTER FOOD
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Talk about it.....
Talk with your family over a shared meal about food and sustainability issues. Questions could include:
- Why is good nutrition important? What are some nutritious foods you like?
- What can our family do to eat better for the world and ourselves?
- Why is it challenging for families to eat healthy and buy local and/or organic foods?
- Of all the different issues surrounding healthy food choices, which do you care most about? (Buying from and supporting local farmers? Food served in schools? Treatment of farm animals? Trying to eat less salt or candy?)
- What is one way our family can get involved (through advocacy or action) to support food and sustainability issues?
Learn about it.....
Find out more about food issues by sharing these books:
- The Vegeta
 bles We Eat by Gail Gibbons. A simple, bright book to open up the world of vegetables to young children. - Growing Vegetable Soup by Lois Ehlert. A colorful story of assembling this sublime dish -- from planting a seed to harvesting vegetables to washing, chopping and cooking.
- How to Grow a School Garden by Arden Bucklin-Sporer and Rachel Pringle. A guide for parents and educators who want to start a school garden.
- Local Flavors: Cooking and Eating from America's Farmers' Markets by Deborah Madison. A beautiful cookbook filled with family-friendly recipes using ingredients from U.S. farmers' markets.
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| INSPIRATION | |
Inspiration
It's difficult to think anything but pleasant thoughts while eating a homegrown tomato.
Lewis Grizzard, humorist and author
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| NEWS FROM DGT | |
News from DGT
We had a lively, camaraderie-filled family service event at the Midtown Global Market in Minneapolis on February 25. Adults and children supported local nonprofits by packing rice for a neighborhood food shelf, decorating bags for Meals on Wheels recipients, creating tissue paper flowers for isolated elders and more! Many organizations were on hand to explain the volunteer opportunities they offer for families. If you would like to host a similar event in your school, faith group, business or community, we'd be glad to assist you. Contact Jenny Friedman at jenny@doinggoodtogether.org.
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Doing Good Together is a nonprofit, 501(c)3 organization that provides information and support to help people raise compassionate and socially conscious children through family volunteerism.
Copyright © 2011 Doing Good Together
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