Chapter Project Archives

Date: January 10, 2013

On January 10, 2013 LDNY celebrated Food Day with the first cooking demonstration of its Parents Resource Program. (The event originally was scheduled for October 30 but had to be cancelled due to Hurricane Sandy.) Through our Green Tables initiative LDNY is collaborating with Wellness in the Schools (WITS) to promote community health and well being by educating children and parents in the community about where their food comes from and why it is key to their future. In partnership with Wellness in the Schools LDNY has created a resource for the parents of the children they are serving. Our goal is to foster a healthier lifestyle outside school by helping parents to make more informed food choices and by creating opportunities for parents and children to learn how to shop and prepare meals together. 

The event took place at PS278 located in the Inwood Section of Manhattan. Parents were greeted by Nancy Easton, Co-Founder and Executive Director of Wellness in the Schools, who introduced Georgia Downard, Co-Chairman of LDNY's Green Tables Committee. After a brief description of LDNY and the Parents Resource Program, Georgia introduced Ellie Krieger, host of Food Network's Healthy Appetite, and member of LDNY's Green Tables Committee. In her wonderfully engaging style, Ellie prepared three simple recipes based on cooked (leftover) chicken. Taking into consideration that most parents work, have little time to prepare meals during the week but wish to feed their families healthy, nutritious meals, roasting one or two chickens on the weekend and using the leftovers creatively during the week would take the stress out of meal planning while insuring their families were eating well. Giving tips on cooking techniques, ingredients and seasonings, Ellie prepared Chicken Fried Rice, Chicken Spinach Quesadillas and Curried Chicken Salad.

The demonstration was followed by a panel discussion moderated by Nora Favelukes. Speaking in Spanish (the school's parent body is 80% Dominican), Nora briefly described the Parent Resource Program and then introduced Regina Ragone, Food Director of Family Circle and Polly Talbott, Founder and Director of a la Carte Culinary Services. Regina and Polly shared their expertise in how to shop to get the most for your money, meal planning strategies for the busy parent and ways to incorporate healthy foods into your family meals. The discussion was followed by a question and answer period. On their way out, parents were given samples of the three recipes prepared.