What the Heck Are You Doing?

If you've been wondering what the hell I'm up to when I go weeks without making a blog post, you're not alone. My parents ask me similar questions all the time. Not because they're actually reading this blog. They're not. But, because they are very, very concerned about how I'm actually earning an income. Here's a sample phone conversation:

Dad: Well, hello...we haven't heard from you in a while. What have you been up to? Why hasn't there been a Melissa@Market piece on Zomppa recently?

Me: Now that the season is winding down, we are only running those a couple of times a month. But, I have a Food Fighters piece coming out every other week instead!

Dad: Hmm. Well, we're not really interested in those.

Me: oh.

Dad: What else have you been doing?

Me: Teaching classes, traveling, writing.

Dad: Do you get PAID for any of this stuff??

So, anyhow. I'm not sure if you've been wondering where I've been hiding because you're actually *interested* in what I'm learning and writing about or if you're just nosy as to how I survive on a day-to-day basis. My dad wants to makes sure I'm (a) alive and (b) supporting myself (legally). If those are your priorities also, then you can quit reading now. Here's a pretty picture for you to leave on:

Gorgeous mural from my last Philly trip

Actually curious on how I've filled the last 2 1/2 weeks? Here's a brief recap that I'll hit more in depth soon. (I know, I know...I say that a lot. Just trust I have good notes and an *excellent* memory.)

• Attended the Philabundance Hunger Symposium.  We all already know I've got it bad for Philabundance, but the conference was seriously one of the best 1/2 day events I've ever attended. It was jam-packed with energy, innovation and knowledge. Mari Gallagher spoke about her research on food deserts and Joel Berg gave a rousing anti-hunger speech. And that was just the last 1 1/2 hours. Must find a way to condense soon.
• Spent a lovely evening at Talula's Garden. The company was unbeatable even if the food was a bit uneven.

•  Traveled to Chicago. But only after being held hostage in the Philly airport by United Airlines for almost 9 hours. Managed to run into both Joe Theissman and Michael Jordan though, so things were not all bad.

This view from my Chicago hotel room did not suck

• Visited with the kind and generous Kevin Pierce of The Resource Center. The Resource Center in Chicago runs a variety of projects aimed at connecting individuals and businesses, creating equality and evening the food supply. 

• Spent an evening with a dear friend eating at the sleek pub The Gage on Michigan Ave. 

• An early start to check out a couple of local farmer's market including the large Green City Market at Lincoln Park. 
• A morning tour of one of Growing Power's farms in inner city Chicago where I learned about their upcoming hydroponic project and saw their compost worms in action.

• Brunch at Rick Bayless's Frontera Grill where I scarfed down this wonderfulness.

• Attended City Farm's (a division of The Resource Center) Urban Harvest Festival where I saw some of the most gorgeous produce I've ever seen in an urban farm. 

• Back in DC, tried out a new class with Academy of Hope that I call "One Method, Many Meals". Basically, it involves sauteing protein and veggies and combining them with various Latin, Asian, Italian flavors plus how to turn this knife and fork dish into a soup or frittata. All meals are under $5/serving and feature readily available ingredients. More on that later.

• Checked out the Neighborhood Farm Initiative in the Fort Totten area here in DC. 

• Traveled back to Boston for the Boston Local Foods Festival. Look for a full breakdown of the event at Zomppa on Monday.

 

• Attended the National Food Policy Conference at the Capital Hilton and enjoyed hearing panels on everything from global hunger to nutrition education to the Philadelphia healthy foods initiative. A really solid day of information.  

And that's why my brain is about to explode. Stay tuned.

The Self-Fulfilling Prophecy of Philabundance

September is Hunger Action Month. Each week, Food Fighters will be posting features on some of the amazing organizations around the country fighting to make sure all Americans have access to fresh, healthy food. To learn more about, Hunger Action Month or how you can volunteer in your neighborhood, visit the Feeding America website or follow them on Twitter @FeedingAmerica or #HungerActionMonth.

You're smart. I know you're smart. But, I'm still going to call the "Driving Hunger From Our Communities" phrase to your attention. It's on a truck. Get it? Driving...truck. Love the clever.

I'm a little obsessed with Philabundance. Not only do they have one of the catchiest names in all of hunger relief, but they abound with positivity. Certainly, hunger is not something that brings a smile to anyone's face. However, many recipients at food banks often feel a certain stigma in participation. Philabundance works hard to create community and a sense of hope that I, and many of their clients and patrons, can certainly appreciate.  Even their colorful graphics and catchy T-shirts help raise spirits in what can be a bleak and desperate situation. Based on the individuals I communicated with and met for my visit, I can say this optimistic vibe pulsates among the staff. Couple that with a variety of innovative programs (listed below), and I think you'll see why I'm crushing on this organization and their vision of Philly Abundance for all.

A Philabundance T-shirt. Order one here.

Philabundance has existed in the greater Philadelphia, PA area since 1984. In 2005, it was integrated with the Philadelphia Food Bank and now provides direct service programs with over 500 member agencies.  Some of their innovative programs include:

A Philabundance Fresh for All site

• Fresh For All: Started in response to the expressed desire and need for more fresh produce in low income areas, this program operates at 12 different sites: 6 in New Jersey and 6 in Pennsylvania. Each site practices reliability and consistency in that each is year-round (except for very inclement weather days) and allots produce based on expected numbers to ensure all participants receive a share each and every week. 
• Share the Harvest: This sow-a-row initiative encourages local gardeners to grow a little extra and then donate their surplus to Philabundance.  Community organizations (such as churches and schools) can turn unused space into gardens that can be dedicated to helping others. Backyard gardeners can squeeze in a few extra plants to harvest for the program.
• Innovative Volunteer Activities: Philabundance encourages community involvement (which in turn generates awareness which in turn leads to more resources...a fabulous cycle) through such events as "Macking and Packing"- a singles sorting night to pack boxes of nourishing food to be distributed at various sites. Afterwards, volunteers mingle at a happy hour.  (Sooo my kind of event!) Volunteers also staff tables at Fresh for All and share their tips and recipes for cooking the produce available.  Interaction amongst varying demographics is a big tenet of Philabundance.
• Those are just a small taste of what Philabundance is doing in the greater Philly area.  They also have seniors programs, grocery donation campaigns, a job-training kitchen and numerous food drive incentive programs.  

Learn more about Philabundance by visiting here.  Or think about attending their half-day Hunger Symposium on Thursday, September 22.  I'll be there!

Also available on the Philabundance website.