Four Free Community Events Planned in Honor of Food Day

Food Day, sponsored by the Center for Science in the Public Interest, is a nationwide celebration and a movement for healthy, affordable, and sustainable food.  Livingston joined the movement and the Food Day committee, represented by many town organizations, has planned over 10 events throughout the month of October.    Upcoming events, open to the public (residents and non-residents), include:

Forks over Knives, Sunday, October 21 at 2 p.m.

“Forks over Knives” to be shown at the Livingston Public Library. The film examines the profound claim that most, if not all, of the degenerative diseases that afflict us can be controlled, or even reversed, by rejecting our present menu of animal-based and processed foods.

Purple Dragon Co-op, Monday, October 22 at 7 p.m.

A food co-op is a group of families buying food together and sharing the labor involved to save money and/or to get better products.  Charlotte Lee from the Purple Dragon Co-op based in Glen Ridge will be presented on October 22 at 7 p.m. at the Community Center on Hillside (204 Hillside Ave). 

Lee will discuss how this co-op brings fresh organic produce to the community while supporting local organic and some ecological farmers.  She will talk about how join or start a pick up point.  She will bring samples of the different vegetables available through Purple Dragon.  

Healthy Eating on a Budget, Wednesday, October 24 at 1 p.m.

Christine Patorniti, RD, Livingston ShopRite’s Dietitian, will share tips and practical strategies to eat healthy while sticking to or reducing your budget.  Take- away adjustments can be immediately implemented. This presentation will be held at 1pm the Community Center on Hillside (204 Hillside Ave.)

Taking Back the Family Meal, Wednesday, October 24 at 7 p.m.

Alma Schneider, LCSW, founder of Take Back the Kitchen and Parents Who Rock and Today Show guest, presents Taking Back the Family Meal, a free community presentation about the health and emotional benefits of the family meal with tips for creating, planning, and executing menus. Program is hosted by Township’s Senior & Adult Enrichment Program and sponsored by United Way of Northern New Jersey (at Community Center on Hillside (204 Hillside Ave).

In 2012, Livingston has joined Food Day’s “eat real movement” to help do nothing short of transforming the American diet.  Key partners in Livingston’s Food Day efforts include the West Essex YMCA, Livingston Township, Shoprite, Kings, Livingston Public Schools, Livingston Public Library, C.H.O.W, and other community groups.  This Food Day initiative was introduced to the community through the United Way’s Pantry Partners, which has provided valuable guidance and technical assistance in many ways.

For more information on Food Day, go to www.facebook.com/LivingstonFoodDay (like our facebook page) or email Eileen Sweeny at Eileen.Sweeny@unitedwaynnj.org