NEW SNAP REGS PROPOSED

USDA has proposed new SNAP eligibility  requirements that look to prohibit murderers, sexual abusers, and lottery winners from receiving food stamps. The proposed changes would prohibit “fleeing felons — including people convicted of murder and sexual assault — from receiving food stamps if they are not in compliance with the terms of their sentence.” It would also target families that have won the lottery, “until the household meets the allowable financial resources and income eligibility requirements,” the agency said. The public has 60 days to comment.

Source: The Hill, 11/30/16, New SNAP Regs

How the good food movement can solve the problem of hunger

When community worker Nick Saul became the executive director of The Stop in 1998, he found a cramped and under-funded food pantry.  Through his vision and leadership, The Stop was transformed into a thriving, internationally respected Community Food Centre. The Stop has flourished with gardens, kitchens, a greenhouse, farmers markets and a mission to revolutionize our food system. In an easy to read, down to earth way, he tells us what The Stop could mean for the future of food.  His passionate argument that everyone deserves a dignified, healthy place at the table is hard to disagree with.

The Stop, a Community Food Centre, introduces us to a whole new way to combat hunger and poverty.  In a way that few have accomplished, The Stop brings the anti-hunger and good food movements together.  It's worth the read for anyone working to fight hunger or on the good food movement. 

Volunteer Opportunities!

GardenShare received a Volunteer Generation Grant from the State of New York.  The grant is a partnership project with the Canton and Potsdam Farmers Markets, Campus Kitchens, Church and Community Program, and the Free Will Dinner at the Canton United Methodist Church and has a goal of bringing more volunteers into anti-hunger work.

The two dinners rely heavily on college students to support their efforts.  So, one of the challenges these programs have is the lack of volunteers when the college students are on break.

With the upcoming end-of-semester holiday break, we're looking for people who are willing to come in and help serve once or even more often.  Children are welcome, as long as they are accompanied by an adult.  Here are the details and the links to sign up.

Campus Kitchens - meal is served on Monday evenings at the Unitarian Universalist Church in Canton.  Volunteers are needed for a variety of shifts 1:00 to 8:00 on December 19 and 26 and January 2 and 9.   If you can help, a sign-up sheet can be found here.  Questions can be directed to Ashlee Downing at 315-229-5135.

Free Will Dinner - meal is served on Wednesday evenings at the United Methodist Church in Canton and volunteers are needed from 4:00 to 6:00 to serve drinks, bus tables, and interact with guests.  Maximum number for any one day is six volunteers.  Volunteers are needed December 7, 14 and 21 and also January 4, 11, 18, and 25.  If you can help any of these days, please go here to sign up.

WHY DO AMERICANS WASTE SO MUCH FOOD?

Despite the fact that over 42 million Americans live in food-insecure households, collectively, we manage to throw out an estimated 80 billion pounds of food every year. According to a survey by the American Chemistry Council, the average household throws out $640 of food each year. Why are we wasting so much food? A survey by researchers from Ohio State University found:

• 68% of Americans believe that throwing away food once its expiration date passes lowers their chances of getting sick from it.
• 59% believe that food waste is "necessary" to consistently produce fresh, flavorful meals.
• Only 42% feel that food waste is a major source of wasted money.

Source: Motley Fool, 11/3/16, Wasted Food

Nature's Storehouse Raised Over $500 for GardenShare

Nature's Storehouse customers donated $505 to support GardenShare's work to solve the problem of hunger in the ten days before Thanksgiving.  Customers were asked to donate a $1 as their orders were checked out.

L to R, Gloria McAdam, Executive Director of GardenShare; Maria Corse, GardenShare Board of Directors;
and Rainbow Crabtree, Leslie Schwartz, and Lisa Lazenby from Nature's Storehouse.

"We're thrilled with these results," said Rainbow Crabtree, co-owner of Nature's Storehouse. "Our customers care about health and the environment and they were so generous with this promotion, it's clear they also care about their neighbors here in the North Country.  When asked for $1, a few even donated $10!"

"Thank you to everyone on the team at Nature's Storehouse and to all of the customers who donated," commented Gloria McAdam.  "For a small organization like GardenShare, this is a huge support and will make a significant difference in our year-round work to fight hunger in the region."

Jr. Iron Chef registration is open

5th Annual North Country Jr. Iron Chef is Coming!

ncjrironchef.org

Registration is Open!   Space is limited, don't delay!

FORM teams of 3 to 5 middle or high school age youth CREATE healthy recipes using a combination of Local & USDA commodity foods    COMPETE against teams from Clinton, Essex, Franklin, Hamilton, Jefferson, Lewis & St. Lawrence counties

JOIN US! March 11, 2017 at  A.A.K. Middle School, Potsdam Check out event guidelines, see pictures and videos, & browse recipes at ncjrironchef.org

Important 2017 Update! Registration is limited to one team per division (middle or high school) per school or organization.  See more updates to the competition at ncjrironchef.org. North Country Jr. Iron Chef is a project of the Health Initiative.

North Country Jr. Iron Chef | Health Initiative, Inc. | 315.261.4760|ncjrironchef@gethealthyslc.org| ncjrironchef.org

Announcing the 2016 Growing Community Award!

Each year GardenShare recognizes an individual or organization whose efforts strengthen food security in northern New York State with the Growing Community Award.  Past recipients have included farmers, food service staff, a food bank, community groups, and others.  Individuals, families, or organizations who are making progress in solving the problem of hunger through policy and advocacy work or by building a stronger food system to better serve all North Country residents may be nominated for this recognition. 

GardenShare is pleased to announce Local Living Venture as the winner of the 2016 Growing Community Award.  Each year, GardenShare recognizes an individual or organization whose efforts strengthen the food system and/or increase food security in northern New York State.  Past recipients have included farmers, food service staff, a food bank, community groups, and others.  The award will be presented at a reception at TAUNY in Canton on January 28, 2017.  

Local Living Venture is a non-profit responsible for spreading knowledge throughout the community regardingaffordable and sustainable solutions that local people can implement in their daily lives. They are especially concerned with local food, clean energy, northern forest, green building, simple living and homesteading skills. Through hands-on, learning workshops Local Living Venture implements healthy and low-cost living styles for community members as well as strengthening local community ties.  

In nominating Local Living Venture for this award, GardenShare Board member Jan DeWaters wrote, "Since they first formed out of the North Country Sustainable Energy Fair in 2009, this group has emerged as a leading authority in all-things-back-to-basics. By offering a wide array of educational programming, as well as a number of community gathering events, they are filling a need here for teaching people important, often-forgotten skills our ancestors practiced on a daily basis, and are also bringing people together to join in community as they venture forth with putting their newly-learned skills into practice. To me, this group is a unique and valuable piece of our north country community building effort." 

The Local Living Venture expressed that they are grateful to receive this recognition: "As a relatively small, volunteer run organization it is easy to feel like you are laboring away in the background," said Local Living Venture Chairperson Chelle Lindahl, "Being recognized for our efforts by such a dynamic organization as GardenShare means the world to us, and invigorates our work in the community we love." 

"All of us at GardenShare offer our congratulations to Local Living Venture," commented  GardenShare executive director Gloria McAdam.  "We appreciate all you do to promote a strong, healthy, and sustainable community here in the North Country."

 Join us...

Growing Community Social

Saturday, January 28, 2017 at 2:00 PM

TAUNY, 53 Main Street, Canton