http://bookclubproject.com Tue, 04 Jun 2013 21:04:24 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.2 http://bookclubproject.com/blog/2013/04/08/trip-cancelled/#comment-32199 forrec Tue, 04 Jun 2013 21:04:24 +0000 http://bookclubproject.com/?p=2930#comment-32199 Hi Professor, Just checking site out. Charmaine Hi Professor,
Just checking site out.
Charmaine

]]> http://bookclubproject.com/blog/2013/04/08/trip-cancelled/#comment-32198 forrec Tue, 04 Jun 2013 21:04:24 +0000 http://bookclubproject.com/?p=2930#comment-32198 Hi Professor, Just checking site out. Charmaine Hi Professor,
Just checking site out.
Charmaine

]]> http://bookclubproject.com/blog/2013/02/27/trader-joes-almost-expired-food-for-poor-folk/#comment-32195 MarvinDrake Thu, 23 May 2013 15:57:42 +0000 http://bookclubproject.com/?p=2917#comment-32195 I really like the idea of former President of Trader Joe's. Now many can argue that, selling food that's expired to people lowers their dignity or separates them from society in a negative way especially with low income families that have kids who could be teased in school etc.. However I think the most important thing here to understand is the ability to even have healthy food available. Especially because "expired" doesn't mean "not eatable". The expiration date on foods is often times set to be earlier than its actual expiration date. Meaning the day when its completely unhealthy or even slightly. I believe more people like the President of Trader Joe's should come up with those kind of programs, and maybe this could be one way of reprogramming soup kitchens, ect. I think its important to constantly look for improvement and instead of throwing "expired" food out how most people do its a great idea to distribute that food for a lower price to the poor. I really like the idea of former President of Trader Joe’s. Now many can argue that, selling food that’s expired to people lowers their dignity or separates them from society in a negative way especially with low income families that have kids who could be teased in school etc.. However I think the most important thing here to understand is the ability to even have healthy food available. Especially because “expired” doesn’t mean “not eatable”. The expiration date on foods is often times set to be earlier than its actual expiration date. Meaning the day when its completely unhealthy or even slightly. I believe more people like the President of Trader Joe’s should come up with those kind of programs, and maybe this could be one way of reprogramming soup kitchens, ect. I think its important to constantly look for improvement and instead of throwing “expired” food out how most people do its a great idea to distribute that food for a lower price to the poor.

]]> http://bookclubproject.com/blog/2013/02/10/nyc-public-school-food-what-are-our-young-ones-eating/#comment-32194 MarvinDrake Thu, 23 May 2013 15:32:15 +0000 http://bookclubproject.com/?p=2909#comment-32194 Since I only attendted NYC public highschool for a few months I can barely remember what kind of food we had. However, the city, recently banned public school cooks to use butter when preparing meals for the young. Even though this might not be the ultimate solution to all the problems, I do think its a good way to start. I also would like to provide this link which is an article about the first all-vegetarian meal plan in the NYC public school system. http://usnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/05/01/17999627-nyc-public-school-swaps-chicken-nuggets-for-tofu-becomes-first-all-vegetarian-cafeteria?lite Therefore I would like to say that , even though we as a city are not their yet, there is improvement happening in the system. By even acknowledging the fact that there is a school which completely changed its meal plan is healthy food for our minds. I hope more and more NYC public schools, will follow soon. Since I only attendted NYC public highschool for a few months I can barely remember what kind of food we had. However, the city, recently banned public school cooks to use butter when preparing meals for the young. Even though this might not be the ultimate solution to all the problems, I do think its a good way to start. I also would like to provide this link which is an article about the first all-vegetarian meal plan in the NYC public school system. http://usnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/05/01/17999627-nyc-public-school-swaps-chicken-nuggets-for-tofu-becomes-first-all-vegetarian-cafeteria?lite
Therefore I would like to say that , even though we as a city are not their yet, there is improvement happening in the system. By even acknowledging the fact that there is a school which completely changed its meal plan is healthy food for our minds. I hope more and more NYC public schools, will follow soon.

]]> http://bookclubproject.com/blog/2013/02/06/prevention-or-problem-food-emergency-programs/#comment-32193 MarvinDrake Thu, 23 May 2013 15:26:30 +0000 http://bookclubproject.com/?p=2897#comment-32193 I think reprogramming, emergency programs like soup kitchens, or low income aid like food pantries, is a good start. Interestingly enough, the first group that presented, and focused on soup kitchens and shelters, made interesting points about those organizations. We found out that many people either use soup kitchens to their advantage. I remember one example that was given by one of the group members, that they met people who have been eating at soup kitchens for the past 15 years. Obviously this is the most negative effect of the result of these programs. However how could organizations balance responsibilities/reasonable care. Even though it seems pretty hard to do that, because its kind of like having a son/daughter that's 30 years old and still lives with mama. The parent/government don't want to spoil their sons or daughter in this case the poor, but also don't want to let them down completely. I think it's very important to require people who recive those services to also participate heavily in job search. The only way to keep long-time soup kitchen eaters (who just use this system), is by giving them the opportunity to slowly get back on their feet. While we can definitely not let people fail, I think its important to provide more than free food. Counseling or mental support is sometimes more helpful than just receiving a free meal. Therefore reprogramming those organizations would be a good point to start. So we could encourage others to one day be able to lend others in need a hand as well. I think reprogramming, emergency programs like soup kitchens, or low income aid like food pantries, is a good start. Interestingly enough, the first group that presented, and focused on soup kitchens and shelters, made interesting points about those organizations. We found out that many people either use soup kitchens to their advantage. I remember one example that was given by one of the group members, that they met people who have been eating at soup kitchens for the past 15 years. Obviously this is the most negative effect of the result of these programs. However how could organizations balance responsibilities/reasonable care. Even though it seems pretty hard to do that, because its kind of like having a son/daughter that’s 30 years old and still lives with mama. The parent/government don’t want to spoil their sons or daughter in this case the poor, but also don’t want to let them down completely. I think it’s very important to require people who recive those services to also participate heavily in job search. The only way to keep long-time soup kitchen eaters (who just use this system), is by giving them the opportunity to slowly get back on their feet. While we can definitely not let people fail, I think its important to provide more than free food. Counseling or mental support is sometimes more helpful than just receiving a free meal. Therefore reprogramming those organizations would be a good point to start. So we could encourage others to one day be able to lend others in need a hand as well.

]]> http://bookclubproject.com/blog/2013/03/13/blacks-food/#comment-32191 faber2004 Tue, 21 May 2013 19:28:43 +0000 http://bookclubproject.com/?p=2925#comment-32191 This documentary did open my eyes to a world I had not thought of before.  I never thought that the way people eat could relate to the way history took place.  Slavery to me, was something that happened in the past but yet it does still effect people to this day; I didn't think that food was involved.  Byron and his story about his father's life really struck a cord with me for some reason.  I feel that he learned from his dad and tried to change the ways his family structure was from the moment they saw the eating problem.  The vocbulary shift he spoke of also was an interesting argument.  There is a divide between people thoughts always but as a whole, the world belives and uses terms that are not good to use.  The world is full of choices and I believe that Byron is trying, for the greater good, to be healthy.  He is trying to shift the vocab and the recipes toward a more healthy divide. This documentary did open my eyes to a world I had not thought of before.  I never thought that the way people eat could relate to the way history took place.  Slavery to me, was something that happened in the past but yet it does still effect people to this day; I didn’t think that food was involved.  Byron and his story about his father’s life really struck a cord with me for some reason.  I feel that he learned from his dad and tried to change the ways his family structure was from the moment they saw the eating problem.  The vocbulary shift he spoke of also was an interesting argument.  There is a divide between people thoughts always but as a whole, the world belives and uses terms that are not good to use.  The world is full of choices and I believe that Byron is trying, for the greater good, to be healthy.  He is trying to shift the vocab and the recipes toward a more healthy divide.

]]> http://bookclubproject.com/blog/2013/03/05/alison-hope-alkon-on-sustainability-justice-and-bay-area-farmers-markets/#comment-32190 faber2004 Tue, 21 May 2013 19:16:26 +0000 http://bookclubproject.com/?p=2919#comment-32190 Farmers Markets are something that I was not fimilar with; besides passing them in the city.  I learned a lot about two when I listened to Alison speak.  Cultivating food justice was her main focus and the need to fix the inequalities with the two markets she spoke of, North Berkeley and West Oakland.  She spoke of the inequalities being one is the high priced market and one is the lower priced market that not only sells the vegetables but also has a food truck with the unhealthly food.  The North Berkeley market was the first only organic market in the country.  they have zero waste at the market, everything is recyled or put into a compost, no plastic bags.  This market is in an afluent neighboorhood with grass.  On the other hand the West Okland market is located in a low income neighboorhood wher there are no grocery stores, only fast food resturants.  They encourage people to use the food to make soul food and even offer loud music and a food truck with the soul food.  The difference between the two is huge. When she talked about the markets and how different they were I found it very interesting to know that there is even research being done of farmer's markets.  It makes complete sense to me that people who cultivate the land should sell the growth in local markets.  This cuts down on gas emissions into the air and also creates fresh products for local markets.  I would love to only shop at the farmer's markets and look forward to more of her research. Farmers Markets are something that I was not fimilar with; besides passing them in the city.  I learned a lot about two when I listened to Alison speak.  Cultivating food justice was her main focus and the need to fix the inequalities with the two markets she spoke of, North Berkeley and West Oakland.  She spoke of the inequalities being one is the high priced market and one is the lower priced market that not only sells the vegetables but also has a food truck with the unhealthly food.  The North Berkeley market was the first only organic market in the country.  they have zero waste at the market, everything is recyled or put into a compost, no plastic bags.  This market is in an afluent neighboorhood with grass.  On the other hand the West Okland market is located in a low income neighboorhood wher there are no grocery stores, only fast food resturants.  They encourage people to use the food to make soul food and even offer loud music and a food truck with the soul food.  The difference between the two is huge.
When she talked about the markets and how different they were I found it very interesting to know that there is even research being done of farmer’s markets.  It makes complete sense to me that people who cultivate the land should sell the growth in local markets.  This cuts down on gas emissions into the air and also creates fresh products for local markets.  I would love to only shop at the farmer’s markets and look forward to more of her research.

]]> http://bookclubproject.com/blog/2013/01/31/is-healthy-food-expensive/#comment-32189 lizbecker Tue, 21 May 2013 16:46:31 +0000 http://bookclubproject.com/?p=2884#comment-32189 Healthy food is so much more expensive. Look at Whole Foods vs my neighborhood Ctown. Anyone that can tell me that healthy food costs the same amount is delusional and out of their mind. In the South Bronx, health isn't even an issue in relation to food because in a lot of households here, you're lucky if you get to eat a regular meal. My mother only keeps dinner food in the house because she can't afford to buy lunch and breakfast things, let alone trying to pick out the most healthy food.  If people here could afford food period, then maybe they would start to think of what is healthy as opposed to what is not.  Rice is cheap so it is usually eaten with every meal because it fills you up. People get beans with their wic checks. A small side of meat to make sure you're getting some and usually a canned veggie because it is cheaper and feeds more people. Not the healthiest meal but at least I get to eat tonight.  When I was younger and my family just moved to NYC, my brothers and I would steal food from grocery stores to put food on the table because my mother couldn't afford to feed us. During the day we ate bread and butter as our lunch just so we had something at all in our stomachs. If people could afford food, they would take health into consideration. Healthy food is more expensive, we are always looking for the best price, not the best healthy alternative. Healthy food is so much more expensive. Look at Whole Foods vs my neighborhood Ctown. Anyone that can tell me that healthy food costs the same amount is delusional and out of their mind. In the South Bronx, health isn’t even an issue in relation to food because in a lot of households here, you’re lucky if you get to eat a regular meal. My mother only keeps dinner food in the house because she can’t afford to buy lunch and breakfast things, let alone trying to pick out the most healthy food. 
If people here could afford food period, then maybe they would start to think of what is healthy as opposed to what is not.  Rice is cheap so it is usually eaten with every meal because it fills you up. People get beans with their wic checks. A small side of meat to make sure you’re getting some and usually a canned veggie because it is cheaper and feeds more people. Not the healthiest meal but at least I get to eat tonight. 
When I was younger and my family just moved to NYC, my brothers and I would steal food from grocery stores to put food on the table because my mother couldn’t afford to feed us. During the day we ate bread and butter as our lunch just so we had something at all in our stomachs. If people could afford food, they would take health into consideration. Healthy food is more expensive, we are always looking for the best price, not the best healthy alternative.

]]> http://bookclubproject.com/blog/2013/02/10/nyc-public-school-food-what-are-our-young-ones-eating/#comment-32188 lizbecker Tue, 21 May 2013 16:35:31 +0000 http://bookclubproject.com/?p=2909#comment-32188 NYC public school lunches and breakfasts are nothing less than disgusting. The food is processed and just isn't real. You're eating fillers so that you won't complain during the day that you are hungry. Prison food is a step up from NYC public lunches. That food proliferates heart disease and obesity. On top of that, children are not given education in these public schools about what food is actually healthy to eat so they think what they are eating is okay. A ton of the students that eat lunch and breakfast in these schools do not have a sustainable amount of food in their fridge so they are forced to eat this crap. When I was younger, I worked very hard in school to have my summers off and my mother still sent me to summer school because it meant that I was going to be fed.  Everyone everywhere is all about cutting costs but you're cutting the length of peoples lives when you do that. Why not start gardens in these school like the Bronx Green Machine? Why not make deals with local farmers and animals raisers? There is a better way to feed these children. NYC public school lunches and breakfasts are nothing less than disgusting. The food is processed and just isn’t real. You’re eating fillers so that you won’t complain during the day that you are hungry. Prison food is a step up from NYC public lunches. That food proliferates heart disease and obesity. On top of that, children are not given education in these public schools about what food is actually healthy to eat so they think what they are eating is okay. A ton of the students that eat lunch and breakfast in these schools do not have a sustainable amount of food in their fridge so they are forced to eat this crap. When I was younger, I worked very hard in school to have my summers off and my mother still sent me to summer school because it meant that I was going to be fed. 
Everyone everywhere is all about cutting costs but you’re cutting the length of peoples lives when you do that. Why not start gardens in these school like the Bronx Green Machine? Why not make deals with local farmers and animals raisers? There is a better way to feed these children.

]]> http://bookclubproject.com/blog/2013/02/06/prevention-or-problem-food-emergency-programs/#comment-32187 lizbecker Tue, 21 May 2013 16:29:31 +0000 http://bookclubproject.com/?p=2897#comment-32187 In no way shape or form should you take away emergency food programs. All that will do will increase crime and violence rates. It is also a terrible idea to put all these emergency food locations into one program and create a bureaucracy. That never works. Let these sites be individually run by who they are run by.  There should be some form of work or compensation by the people getting food there. Maybe they help clean the kitchen and dinning areas after they've eaten there. Get the people on drugs into detox centers. Get the mentally ill into treatment centers and everyone that is left that can function normally can start taking some sort of training and education programs. Get them GEDs, or high school diplomas and get them into colleges.  The problem with all that however is money. The government needs to come up with a system to help these people. How many of these people came from wealthy families and messed up at their job and ended up homeless? I'm willing to bet none. The people that are suffering from homelessness and need these food programs are part of a vicious cycle. The government needs to implement programs to end this cycle and provide people with an education. In no way shape or form should you take away emergency food programs. All that will do will increase crime and violence rates. It is also a terrible idea to put all these emergency food locations into one program and create a bureaucracy. That never works. Let these sites be individually run by who they are run by. 
There should be some form of work or compensation by the people getting food there. Maybe they help clean the kitchen and dinning areas after they’ve eaten there. Get the people on drugs into detox centers. Get the mentally ill into treatment centers and everyone that is left that can function normally can start taking some sort of training and education programs. Get them GEDs, or high school diplomas and get them into colleges. 
The problem with all that however is money. The government needs to come up with a system to help these people. How many of these people came from wealthy families and messed up at their job and ended up homeless? I’m willing to bet none. The people that are suffering from homelessness and need these food programs are part of a vicious cycle. The government needs to implement programs to end this cycle and provide people with an education.

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