John Turenne has been listed as a
Food Professional on Jamie Oliver's
Food Revolution website!
Swing by and meet all of the Food Professionals
and Food Heros!
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John Turenne
will present
Practical Approaches to Farm to Hospital and School
at the 15th Annual
Plow Forward Conf February 24-15, 2012
Columbus, Georgia
Georgia Organics connects organic food from Georgia farms to Georgia families
We believe food systems should be community-based, not commodity based
Register Today - Rates go up after January 6th
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Check out Winning the
Food Fight, authored by our friend and colleague, Pastor Steve WillisWhile working with Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution in Huntington, WV, we had the privilege to meet Pastor Steve Willis who was already active in improving the health of his community through food. We were thrilled to be invited to contribute some of our experiences to his just released book. |
Check out
Lunch Wars,
authored by our friend and colleague,
Amy Kalafa
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John Turenne, recently contributed a chapter in the new book "Greening Food & Beverage Services - A Green Seal Guide to Transforming the Industry"
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School Food Retrospective - 2011
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As 2011 draws to a close, we cannot help but reflect on the Good, the Bad and the Ugly in the world of school food this year.
While bills have been getting kicked around Congress and our leaders cave to lobbyist pressure; many grass roots organizations are kicking out the old and bringing in new food ideas to their local schools.
- Jamie Oliver continued his fight in the Los Angeles Unified School District, they fought him every step of the way, but have since changed their menu significantly. Way to go Jamie and LAUSD!
- Salad bars and school gardens are becoming the norm. Whole Foods has sponsored a school salad bar grant.
- Many school districts still serve sweetened (flavored) milk. However some are starting to see the light (LA, DC, Boulder) and are chosing not to serve our kids extra sugar.
- More whole grains and fresh vegetables are making it to the plate.
- Local chefs and farmers are volunteering their time to teach parents, school administration, school chefs and kids that we can provide healthy, delicious, local food in schools and meet budgets and guidelines too! "Chefs Move to Schools" has taken off!
- Admittedly, The Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act that passed in December of 2010 is not perfect. In fact, Congress still succumbs to big business. However, at least for the first time in 30 years there has been an increase in funding for school lunches. It's a start.
- Wellness Policies are beginning to be looked at in a whole new light. The RUDD Center's WellSAT evaluation will let you know how viable your school's policy is. Test it!
- Awareness is growing, there are many new food related books and movies being released, Food Rules new edition, Free for All, Vertical Food, Lunch Wars, Winning the Food Fight and more.
We have come a very long way. In reflection, we should recognize the frustrations and more importantly, be thankful for how far we have come!
Best wishes for a healthy and delicious holiday season. As you plan for 2012 please include an evaluation of food in your world and what small changes you can make in your home, school, business and community. We are here to help, please contact us at sfs@sustainablefoodsystems.com to see how we can assist you.
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Sustainable Food Service
Management Course
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 Manchester Community College (CT) is promoting a brand new course offering Sustainable Food Service Management designed by John Turenne, founder of Sustainable Food Systems, LLC.
This course, one of the first of its kind in the nation, will be taught by John Turenne and assisted by Molly Devanney and will provide managers of restaurants, business cafeterias and school foodservice operations with the tools and techniques to become proficient in turning food programs into sustainable enterprises.
Thursdays, 4 p.m.-6:50 p.m.
January 19-May 14, 2012
3 credits; $466 plus course materials
To register or for additional information, contact Jayne Pearson or click the button below.
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Tips for a Sustainable Holiday
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 Christmas Trees
- Buy a locally grown Christmas tree and recycle it when the holidays are over. Many cities and towns offer free tree mulching.
- Better yet decorate a tree in your yard or buy one with roots that can be planted after the holidays and enjoyed for years to come.
Gift Wrap- Shiny, glossy wrapping paper is impossible to recycle - instead of buying gift wrap reuse paper that you already have, use newspaper or old magazines or use plain brown paper.
- If you must purchase packing or gift wrapping materials, be sure to buy recycled paper products. The amount of paper wasted over the holidays is staggering!
- Reuse packing materials, boxes, fancy bows and ribbons
- If you will not be reusing packing materials. Consider bringing them to a local shipping facility.
- NEVER throw wrapping paper in the garbage or fireplace. More than 8,000 tons of wrapping paper will be used on presents, using the equivalent of 50,000 trees. Reuse or recycle!
Holiday Cards - Around 744 million holiday cards are sent each holiday season. If all these were made from recycled paper, it would help to save the equivalent of 248,000 trees. Send an e-card instead! There are lots of sites offering free and low cost holiday e-card services.
Food
 Holidays are all about wonderful food and food memories! Whenever possible, help reduce "food miles" and buy local, organic or fair-trade for your holiday meals. - Recycle all food packaging and beverage containers, including wine bottles.
- Recycle and reuse beautiful holiday tins.
- Make a gift of your favorite holiday treat - package beautifully with reusable packaging and include the recipe too - jams, chutneys, baked goods and flavored oils and vinegars all make great gifts.
- Avoid using disposable plates and flatware - mix and match.
Gifts- Paint, crochet or knit, take nice photos, make crafts, share recipes or display some other talent through your holiday gift giving. If not, find someone who can help you make one-of-a-kind eco-friendly gifts!
- Re-gift - one person's junk is another person's treasure!
- Consider the impacts: choose gifts that are environmentally friendly and safe for children, reusable, recyclable or made from recycled materials.
- Shop fair trade online stores (Ten Thousand Villages, Global Exchange).
- Give an experience! A day at the spa, horseback riding, massage, tickets to an event, etc.
- Give a garden; organic seeds, shovel, gloves, the gift that keeps on giving.
- Donate your time, money, food, or items on behalf of someone else to a meaningful charity or organization.
- Around 125,000 tons of plastic packaging is thrown away over the holiday season. Take your own reusable shopping bags when you shop.
Batteries - Loads of toys and electronics require batteries - purchase rechargeable batteries.
Make a resolution to live more sustainably in 2012! |
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About Sustainable Food Systems
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Sustainable Food Systems offers a unique consulting and technical assistance service that partners with institutions and organizations interested in incorporating planet healthy practices into their food programs. Utilizing sustainability practices in food production and preparation strengthens our local communities and economies and the larger world around us. Let us help you deliver food better.
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