Archive for April, 2010

April 22, 2010

Safety First: Keeping our Feeding Fleet Running

Author: Brady Koch

Without our fleet of 13 trucks, food donations from all over Central Florida would never reach our facility. In order to keep the millions of pounds of food flowing to the needy people in our community every year, we have to make certain that all of our drivers stay up to date on the latest safety practices.

Last week Ryder provided a team of instructors to work with our drivers. The afternoon was filled with classroom and field training on a variety of road safety best practices.

Here’s something I learned: Don’t taste test any liquids that are leaking from the engine.

An ounce of prevention can lead to 21 million lbs of food to the community.

Brady Koch
Director of Agency Relations & Programs

April 21, 2010

Nutrition: A Matter of National Security?

Author: Brady Koch

The fight against hunger may now also be a fight to keep the nation safe.

A new report released Tuesday says more than 9 million young adults, or 27 percent of all Americans ages 17 to 24, are too overweight to join the military.

The free and reduced school lunch program makes a big impact in our food insecure families.

What do you think can be done to not only provide food but provide healthy food to children?

Brady Koch
Director of Agency Relations & Programs

April 20, 2010

PepsiCo Feeds America with National Day of Service

Author: Maria Diestro

When I walked into work this morning I was greeted by 50 PepsiCo volunteers. They filled up our volunteer greeting area and overflowed into our warehouse. One thing I love about my job is having the opportunity to meet individuals and organizations that come through our volunteer center. So why do we have 50 PepsiCo volunteers at Second Harvest today?

Today, MOSAIC, PepsiCo’s African-American employee network is organizing a day of service with Feeding America. PepsiCo volunteers will work in over 30 food banks nationwide to impact over 2 million people. 1,400 PepsiCo employees will generate more than 5,000 volunteer hours in one day. That’s a pretty incredible project!

Second Harvest Food Bank is excited to take part in PepsiCo’s Employee Day of Service. We are one of four food banks in Florida that is participating in this project. The other 3 food banks are in Tampa, Miami and Ft. Pierce. I went around and took photos and video of these employees hard at work.

Second Harvest Food Bank would like to thank PepsiCo for their time and commitment in the fight against hunger.  Enjoy the photos and video!

Pictures:

Video:

Maria Diestro
Online Services and Communications Manager

April 19, 2010

Yuck, Gross, and Blech. . . food kids hate

Author: Brady Koch

Nutrition Manager Maria Ali and I are developing a kids nutrition program focusing on healthy foods that kids often pass up because they think they’re gross.

We need your input as parents, grandparents, uncles, aunts, or babysitters on what kids will not eat.

We’re thinking of the usual suspects: lima beans, broccoli, and beets, but want to build more of a consensus before finalizing our program.

Let us know what makes kids wrinkle their nose at dinner.

Brady Koch
Director of Agency Relations & Programs

April 13, 2010

5 Tips to Surviving Taste of the Nation Orlando

Author: Maria Diestro

Can you believe Taste of the Nation Orlando is almost here? It feels like just yesterday I was helping with setting up our food display at last year’s event.

Share Our Strength’s Taste of the Nation is the nation’s premier culinary benefit dedicated to ending childhood hunger in America.

All proceeds locally benefit Coalition for the Homeless of Central Florida and Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida; state wide beneficiary is Florida Impact.

Imagine yourself in a room full of food catered by some of your favorite restaurant chefs. Just in … five of the Taste chefs will have the great honor of cooking at the James Beard House in June!

• Jamie McFadden of Cuisiniers Catering
• Kevin Fonzo of K Restaurant & Wine Bar
• James & Julie Petrakis of The Ravenous Pig
• Scott Copeland of Antonio’s Cafe & Deli. 

This is a small glimpse of some of the amazing talent that help put this event together. View a list of all participating restaurants.

So go ahead and make a big mark around Saturday, June 5 on your calendars. The 21st Annual Taste of the Nation Orlando will take place at the Orlando Marriott World Center on 8701 World Center Drive.

Last year was my first Taste of the Nation experience. It can be a bit overwhelming to see all the different tables of food and trying to decide on which auction item to bid on. Did you know that last year there were over 200 auction items?

Here are 5 tips to surviving Taste of the Nation Orlando

1) Get there early and beat the rush. 

2) Bring cash for raffle items. Last year we raffled of some pretty cool prizes and trips.

3) Take time to look through all the auction items. You will be surprised to find some very affordable hidden gems in there. Also, there are always very unique opportunities that you will only find at Taste of the Nation.     

4) Take a moment to stop by the beneficiaries displays. Learn more about what this whole event is really about!

5) Take advantage of the VIP package. You enjoy early admission, reserved seating, a champagne reception and a goody bag. That’s not bad for $50 more.  

If you are a Taste of the Nation Veteran, feel free to post any additional tips below!

See you at Taste of the Nation,

Maria Diestro
Online Services and Communications Manager