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June 2010 Newsletter 
Greetings!

It's almost summer and things are heating up both literally and figuratively.  June has already been an exciting and productive month for Purple Asparagus.  We're busy finalizing our schedule for the coming school year and it looks like we'll be in eight different schools on a regular basis (three weekly!)  Our farmers' market roadshow is in full swing (check out our website to see where we'll be next).  And finally, head spear Melissa Graham recently returned from the White House where she attended the launch of the Chefs Move to Schools initiative of the Let's Move campaign along with celebrity chefs, Cat Cora, Rachel Ray, and Tom Colicchio.  It's a great time for the child nutrition movement and we're happy to be a part of it!


The Purple Asparagus team

White House Garden Cookbook

Speaking of the White House, A White House Garden Cookbook has hit the book shelves and guess who's in it?  The book includes two of our recipes:  Blueberry-Buckwheat Pancakes and Parsnip-Fennel Puree.  Click here to get your copy today and support Purple Asparagus at the same time!

Save the Date: Corks and Crayons 2010
Save the Date

It's back and better than ever.  Corks and Crayons, our annual fundraiser, will be held on August 29, 2010, from 4-7pm at Uncommon Ground on Devon.  Join us to hear great music, drink cocktails made with Templeton Rye and wine from Candid Wines, and eat delicious, sustainably produced foods.  There will be plenty to keep the kids occupied, including the Dolores Kohl Education Foundation's StoryBus and a mini-farmers market manned by our pint-sized guests and stocked with certified organic produce from Harvest Moon Farms.  Enjoy a great afternoon while supporting our work in the schools, farmers' markets, and community centers throughout Chicago. Even if you can't join us, you can still support our work.  Given the success of our online auction, we'll soon be posting many enticing items that you can bid on from anywhere. Follow @corksandcrayons on Twitter for the latest news and information about the event.
Let's Chat: ChickChat Soiree "Food for Thought"

On June 21 from 6-8:30, "Food For Thought" will celebrate Farmer's Markets, buying local produce and meats and hopes to enlighten about where our food comes from and how we can better appreciate the farmers, plants and animals that make up what we eat. Share some food and hear an illustrious speaker panel with Terra Brockman, the author of, The Seasons on Henry's Farm: A Year of Food and Life on a Sustainable Farm and founder of The Land Connection, an educational nonprofit that saves farmland, trains farmers in entrepreneurial farming, and connects local producers and consumers, Kim Snyer of Faith's Farm, Growing Home, and Lance Avery, Chef & Food Designer, Charlie Baggs who will lead a cooking demo using local and organic produce. Purple Asparagus is the featured non-profit of the evening.


Click here for more information or to buy tickets.

What's On Your Plate?
Purple Asparagus is participating in this year's Family Fun Activity Festival in Millenium Park on June 30 where we'll be talking about making healthy food choices and leading a craft activity that provides food for thought as well as lots of fun!

We have some paid opportunities for individuals with experience working with children who are willing to commit to an entire day.

If you would like to help out, please contact us at info@purpleasparagus.com or at 773-991-1920 (ask for Melissa).  We're looking for staff from 10am-3:00pm.
Down on the (Urban) Farm!

 The Jane Addams Hull-House Museum at the University of Illinois at Chicago now offers urban farm-centered education to children and adults via the new Hull-House Heirloom Farm, featuring organic and heirloom vegetables.

Individuals and groups are welcome to visit the Hull-House Heirloom Farm.  Group tours explore the workings of an urban farm and introduce historical and contemporary efforts to make healthy food available to all. Visits and tours will be offered from June thru October, T-F 10 am - 4pm and Sun 12pm - 4pm.  Sunday hours will not be available in the month of August. 

Please call the museum at (312) 413-5353 to inquire about farm visits.

Looking for A Few Good Spears
 As always, if you would like to volunteer with Purple Asparagus or would like to contribute your support for our important programming in other ways, please email us at info@purpleasparagus.com or call us at 773-991-1920.

In particular, we need volunteers for our educational programming and Corks & Crayons benefit committee members.
 Thanks again for your continuing support.
Purple Asparagus
A non-profit organization dedicated to bringing families back to the table by promoting and enjoying all the things associated with good eating.
 
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