September, 2009

We send our kids to school to learn. Sometimes we forget that education is more than just about passing tests.

We love that so many schools around the country are trying to start their own gardens for teaching, as well as for eating. It’s amazing what can be learnt from growing a garden. There’s the science around growing: weather, plants, nutrition; there’s the sociology and history of how we used to live and how others live; there’s geography, the environment and sustainability; and there are also wonderful life skills around planning, organization and problem solving.

In our rushed lives it is often taken for granted that if we want something, we should get it immediately. How often are we frustrated when we don’t get what we want, NOW? Growing food is an amazing opportunity for the kids to learn patience, and find that the reward for their efforts is all the sweeter when they experience the thrill of eating something delicious that they have personally taken the time to create.

At Help Yourself, we also find ourselves super-excited about the opportunity of re-education in real food. We are very excited about the next generation reconnecting with where their food comes from and learning the importance of real food.

Getting the kids excited about their food is a joy to see. And even better that natural, organic, freshly prepared food, tastes delicious!

On Sept 7th, Labor Day Monday, Help Yourself, Cole’s Peace, and Mana Project will present an “Eat-In” as a part of Slow Food USA’s National “Time for Lunch” Campaign to bring real food into schools, instead of over-processed junk food.

The registered “Eat-In” will be held in Nancy Forrester’s Secret Garden, located on 1 Free School Lane, in the heart of old town Key West.

Nancy Forrester supports the Slow Food Movement’s “National Day of Action” with a Free Admission Open House. The “Eat-In” Garden hours are 10 AM to 5 PM, with midday 11-2:00 being the most communal “Time for Lunch.”

Bring your own picnic or to buy one from our restaurant.

The festivities include: Food demos, a farm stand, speakers, parrots, movies, musicians, performing artists, children’s “garden patch” (drawing and painting), raffles, a goodie bag, and more …

Slow Food is a non-profit, eco-gastronomic member-supported organization that was founded in 1989 to counteract fast food and fast life, and the disappearance of local food traditions. Today, Slow Food has over 100,000 members in 132 countries.

As of 2008, Slow Food USA has a membership of roughly 16,000. Notable members include, Alice Waters, Eric Schlosser, and Michael Pollan. In 2008 Slow Food USA hosted its largest gathering to date when 50,000 people attended the inaugural Slow Food Nation in San Francisco. Founded by Alice Waters, it was the largest celebration of American food in history.

In June, Slow Food USA launched the “Time for Lunch” campaign to tell our legislators it’s time to update the National School Lunch Program. The goal is to get real food into schools, instead of over-processed junk food, and members are supporting this effort by signing a “Time for Lunch petition,” contacting their legislators and organizing Eat-Ins (or potlucks) for a National Day of Action on Labor Day, Sept 7, 2009. After only one month into the campaign, there are already more than 180 Eat-Ins organized in 43 states across the country and we are one of them!

http://www.slowfoodusa.org/index.php/campaign/time_for_lunch/about/