Food Day 2011 — It’s like Earth Day but way yummier

“But wait, isn’t every day Food Day?” Yes, Mom, thanks. But for the sake of this blog post…

After thirty four years of absence, this Monday, October 24th marks national Food Day! The only thing distracting we Stonyfielders from how to win our upcoming Recycled Halloween Costume Contest is the abundance of foodie chatter around this new unofficial holiday. Everyone is super excited. Smiles abound. (But don’t worry, we’re still ultimately focused on your organic yogurt, of course!)

Food Day is precisely what you think it is; a national celebration of Food. You may think that sounds broad, but if you define the word “Food” to encompass notions of sustainability, health, nutrition, flavor, farm systems, preparation, and people, than you already get it. Throw these concepts in with over 1,700 gatherings and events across the country and, ta-daa! Food Day. Potlucks, film viewings, cookbook signings, harvests, dinner parties, contests and cooking demos are scattered throughout the U.S. and likely happening in your home town.

If you can’t find a Food Day event happening locally, dream up something special for your friends and family this Monday. Perhaps throw a Monday Night Football potluck and ask everyone to skip the usual high-fructose-corn-syrupy suspects. Celebrate by requesting all-organic, home made chilli, wings, chips and salsa, and pizza contributions to the party. GO RAVENS!

If you’re celebrating Food Day quietly at home, or even hosting a dinner party, definitely take a gander at the Eat Real – Food Day Cookbook. This smattering of recipes from some of our favorite chef-friends like Mark Bittman, Mario Batali, Jamie Oliver, and Elie Krieger represent the clean simplicity of good food, and certainly gives me the motivation to create. Check out the pics of my Citrus Baked Chicken and Pumpkin Seed Tabouli with Honey Fig Balsamic dressing from dinner last night. Needless to say, the roommates were sporting big smiles…but that could have been the wine.

So, Eat Real, America. Take a minute to visit foodday.org, find events nearby, and even ask Congress to support the 6 Principles of Food Day. And whatever you end up doing to celebrate and support sustainable food this Monday – and every day – let it be inspired by the desire for better health, a healthier Earth, and smiles. Always smiles.

“I like a cook who smiles out loud when he tastes his own work. Let God worry about your modesty; I want to see your enthusiasm.” ~ Robert Farrar Capon