Fall2012 Heading
Spoons Begins Another Year of Great Programs

Greetings!,
 
Kids and Squash
Ahhhh.... Autumn! Honey Crisp apples, roasted butternut squash, warm gingered carrot soup and the smell of falling leaves. Summer can't be beat for its juicy heirloom tomatoes and sweet corn, but there is nothing like the harvest that comes as our students return to school.

Fall is when Spoons gears up for a new year of food and nutrition literacy programs for New York City public elementary schools. Our approach highlights the cycle of life- from the farm-to-table- across the elementary grades, and for the last decade Spoons Across America has provided our programs FREE to participating schools. Last year 6,250 students participated in Take a Taste, Agriculture Literacy Week, Food Miles Relay, and The Dinner Party Project�! See below for more information about our Fall program, Take a Taste with Spoons: Apples, and how you can volunteer to get more involved.

The backbone of Spoons Across America is our core of volunteers and interns. In each newsletter we will highlight a member of our team and find a little bit about who they are and their connection to Spoons' mission. For this issue we interviewed Diana Kobus Rice, who volunteered as Spoons' social media coordinator for the past two years.

Looking for something to do with the amazing variety of local apples available in the markets? This month we are excited to share a recipe for Apple Slaw from our Program Director, Stacey Ornstein. After you've finished cooking with your kids, you might  enjoy reading a story book highlighting how apples make their way from the orchard to your kitchen!
SAVE THE DATE: Help raise $35,000 for Spoons without spending a dime!
Kashi Real Logo In November/December, we will be the featured organization for the Kashi Real Project, and will be trying to raise up to $35,000 for "likes " on their Facebook page. There's nothing to do now, but it the meantime you can  Like us on Facebook. Share us with your friends. Forward this newsletter. Spread the word! Stay tuned for more information. 
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TATTake a Taste with Spoons launches in NYC Schools on October 22nd.
 

Take a Taste with Spoons: Apples returns to NYC public school classrooms from October 22- October 26. Take a Taste provides students the opportunity to learn about the elements of taste, sample locally grown apple varieties, and take an apple recipe home to share with their families. Vocabulary is expanded as students describe their sensory experiences and share their findings. Activities celebrate fresh, local, and seasonal food and encourage direct and long lasting connections with locally grown produce and its producers.

 

Take a Taste with Spoons Last year's students had much to say about Take a Taste. Here are a few excerpts:   

 

"I didn't know there were so many apples in the world!"

 

 "I loved to taste all different types of flavor[s] of powder[s]. I was really surprised that cocoa doesn't have a sweet taste. I especially liked to taste the different types of apples. Now I am going to make sure that I will buy New York apples."

   

Want to be involved? We count on our wonderful volunteers to implement all of our programs and are currently recruiting volunteers for Take a Taste. Register with our online form and we will contact you with details about this and other programs.  

 

Can't volunteer the week of October 22nd but still want to help? Fill out a registration form to keep up-to-date on future opportunities.


volunteerSPOTLIGHT ON OUR VOLUNTEERS: DIANA KOBUS RICE
diana

Diana was Spoons' Social Media Intern from July 2010- August 2012. She now has a full-time dietetic internship with Cedar Crest College.  

 

- Why did you get involved with Spoons Across America?

I was working in publishing and someone asked me what I'd really like to be doing. I said I'd really like to work with an organization that helped teach under resourced children about healthy eating. Not long after, I saw that Spoons was looking for volunteers! I especially appreciated the opportunity to merge my media background with my interest in child health by launching Spoons into the increasingly important social media realm.

 

- Why is Spoon's mission important to you?

I believe that educating children is our first line of defense against the growing health crisis in America. As a future registered dietitian, I plan to make health education the focus of my career, and I believe that Spoons and similar organizations are critical to reaching the children who need nutrition and culinary education the most. I also love the way Spoons brings culinary professionals, farmers, gardeners, students, and teachers together - these connections are so important and valuable to the future of nutrition education and better food, as each has something unique to offer to the others.


- How has your work with Spoons impacted you?

Spoons provided me with hands-on experience about the reality of implementing children's nutrition programs that I'll build upon in my future career. I learned that not all children hate vegetables - some love them, in fact! - but there's certainly much work left to be done, and there are roadblocks to implementing quality programs far beyond children's personal tastes.

 

- What are you doing now? 

When I finish [my internship] this spring, I'll be certified as a registered dietitian (RD). My internship has a community nutrition focus, so working with Spoons provided me with a great background for it. I'm working with the food-service department of Jersey City Public Schools. I'm also learning much more about the various opportunities that public school systems have to conduct their own nutrition education programs and to partner with organizations such as Spoons.

 

Does Diana's story sound like something you'd like to do? Join Spoons in our mission to educate children, teachers, and families about healthy eating. Volunteer with Spoons! We have programs beginning in October and are looking for volunteers to help implement our curriculum in NYC public schools. Sign up today for these and other opportunities.   


bookWe Recommend...

Apple Farmer Annie- Book
Ana Cultiva Manzanas /
Apple Farmer Annie:
A Bilingual Edition in Spanish & English,
Monica Wellington
Children of all ages will enjoy the story of Ana/Annie as she works on her apple farm and drives to the city to sell her apples and baked goods at the farmer's market. Recipes for apple sauce and baked goods are included as well. Read the book and let's get cooking!
recipeApple Slaw
Recipe Courtesy of Stacey Ornstein, Program Director

1/2 green cabbage, cored and grated
4 crisp apples, cored and grated
2 carrots, peeled and grated
1 cup cilantro, chopped
1/2 cup Greek yogurt
1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
1/4 cup honey
2 tablespoons tahini
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1/2 teaspoon sea salt

1. Prepare the cabbage, apples, carrots, and cilantro and set in a large mixing bowl.

2. Whisk to combine yogurt, apple cider vinegar, honey, tahini, mustard and salt.

3. Add dressing to bowl, toss to combine. For best flavor, refrigerate for 30 minutes before serving to allow flavors to blend.

Serves 8

 


Spoons Logo
2012-2013 Program Dates: 
Take a Taste with Spoons: October 22-26, 2012 
Agriculture Literacy Week: March 18-22, 2013 
Spoons Food Miles Relay: May 13-17, 2013

donate OUR MISSION: Spoons Across America,� the source for children's culinary education, is a not-for- profit organization dedicated to educating children, teachers, and families about the benefits of healthy eating. We work to influence the eating habits of children through hands-on education that celebrates the connection to local farmers and the important tradition of sharing meals around the family table.

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