April 25, 2013

9,000 kids need your click today

Author: Dave Krepcho

Kayleigh is nine years old, and in the fourth grade at a Seminole County elementary school. Each day, she and her 6th grade brother participate in their school’s free breakfast and lunch programs.

Even though Kayleigh’s mother works more than 50 hours per week at two separate jobs, there is often not enough money to buy enough food for the family to have enough food on weekends. Both kids used to dread the weekend days, and also the summertime. Read More …

December 27, 2012

Homemade Lavash Crackers

Author: Dawn Viola

Lavash (pronounced “luh’VOHsh”) is a Middle Eastern style flat bread that is rolled thin and baked in clay ovens; the softness of the bread depends on how thin it’s rolled. In stores, you’ll see a thicker, softer version often used for sandwiches and wraps. At the Second Harvest Community Kitchen, we roll the dough paper thin and bake in a conventional oven until nutty and crisp. With the simple ingredient list, it’s a quick and easy dough to make and bake for almost-instant homemade crackers.

Yields: approximately 24 crackers
Prep time: 10 minutes + 32 minute rest
Cook time:7 minutes
Allergy info: soy-free; contains wheat, gluten
Fancy equipment: standing mixer with dough hook, mister

Read More …

December 21, 2012

Panera Bread Mystery Gift Cards

Author: Sasha Hausman

The temperature is dropping and my favorite thing to eat when it’s cold is Panera Bread’s Broccoli and Cheddar soup in a bread bowl. I am so excited because now there is a chance to get all the bread bowls I want and help out Second Harvest Food Bank at the same time! In November, Panera Bread launched the Hope for the Holidays campaign to help fight food insecurity in Central Florida. In partnership with its customers, Panera will raise more than $200,000, which will directly help Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida distribute much-needed food to pantries, soup kitchens, homeless shelters, senior programs and low-income daycares during this holiday season.

During the campaign, Panera customers and associates throughout Volusia, Orange, Seminole, Osceola, Brevard, Indian River, Martin, St. Lucie, Flagler, and Lake counties were invited to make donations during their checkout. These generous contributions will be matched dollar for dollar by Panera. Read More …

November 30, 2012

A Decades Old American Brand Lost and So Much More

Author: Dave Krepcho

An iconic national brand is lost and that’s sad, especially if you grew up with it and enjoyed your share of Twinkies. The demise of Hostess is another sign of a struggling economy; 18,000 jobs lost nationwide, many right here in Central Florida. But what’s really tragic is that this hits very close to home. I’m referring to the people behind the brand, working baker’s hours and driving delivery trucks to provide to the rest of us. One of our Board Members’ in-laws both worked for Hostess for nearly 20 years and were closing in on earned retirement benefits – no longer. Sometimes we think it only happens to the other person, and then, it hits close to home and gets personal.

What I hope America hears about is what Hostess is doing as they dismantle the company. We received a call from the local facility that produces Hostess products and were offered 18 truckloads of their products that won’t be sold. And there is probably more to come. Read More …

September 26, 2012

Food Stamp Challenge: Scott Joseph

Author: Maria Diestro

Scott Joseph
Restaurant Critic

Challenge Day: September 12, 2012

 

 

• Why did you join the SNAP Challenge? As someone who regularly dines out on extravagant meals, I wanted to know the food challenges that someone with limited means faces. Read More …