Community

Fight Hunger with Family Meals

Published

2 months ago

July 18, 2023

Daily News Staff

Selfless ways to support community members in need

(Family Features) With hectic day-to-day schedules and varying dietary needs, many families face the dreaded daily question: “What sounds good for dinner?” In contrast, millions struggle to put food on the table each night, impacting about 1 in 8 children, according to Feeding America.

You can help support those in need through Safeway and Albertsons’ “Fight Hunger, Serve Hope” cause program – an initiative to fight hunger in local communities during summer months when households with school-aged children face higher rates of food insecurity. The company’s private label will donate one meal for every O Organics® product purchased, up to $7 million and the equivalent of 28 million meals. Donations will be made to Nourishing Neighbors, a program of Albertsons Companies Foundation, to fund grants dedicated to providing healthy meals for at-risk youth throughout the summer.

“While summertime sparks excitement for countless students, it also marks the unfortunate reality that millions of children face when they lose access to school cafeteria lunches and breakfasts they depend on throughout the school year,” said Jennifer Saenz, EVP and chief merchandising officer at Albertsons Companies. “As a company, we are committed to making a difference in the lives of children in need. For the first time, we are making it easier than ever for our customers to support this mission by connecting each purchase of our O Organics brand to hunger relief efforts in the communities we serve.”

Following the campaign period, families looking to help in their communities can give back in a variety of ways.

Donate Canned Goods
Once school is in session, many classrooms participate in canned food drives for a variety of causes while serving a dual purpose: feeding those in need and teaching children the importance of giving back. Sending your students to school with canned goods can show them the value of helping others and instill a sense of responsibility.

Volunteer at a Food Pantry
Sharing valuable resources like canned goods helps make a difference in communities, but local food pantries also need willing volunteers to sort and distribute food, among other duties. It can provide a unique sense of perspective as you meet other volunteers, improve the lives of people in your community and gain new skills.

Promote the Power of Family Meals
Whether it’s breakfast, lunch, dinner or all three, sharing a meal with neighbors can be a powerful moment. It provides an opportunity to connect while enjoying easy-to-make recipes like Ribeye Steak, Grape Tomato and Mushroom Kebabs; Grilled Chicken Salad with Goat Cheese, Fresh Raspberries and Pecans; and Mixed Berry-Lime Smoothie Bowl with Banana and Granola.

Find more meal ideas by visiting Safeway.com and Albertsons.com.

Ribeye Steak, Grape Tomato and Mushroom Kebabs

Recipe courtesy of Safeway and Albertsons
Total time: 30 minutes

2 cloves garlic
1/2 small bunch Italian (flat-leaf) parsley
1/4 cup O Organics extra-virgin olive oil
1/8 cup red wine vinegar
2 teaspoons O Organics Dijon mustard
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
3/4 pound O Organics ribeye steak
1/2 pint O Organics grape tomatoes
1/4 pound O Organics white mushrooms
green pepper, sliced (optional)
1/2 medium red onion
6 skewers

Peel and mince garlic. Wash and dry parsley. Shave leaves off stems; discard stems and mince leaves.
In large bowl, whisk minced garlic, half the minced parsley (reserve remainder for garnish), olive oil, vinegar, Dijon mustard, salt and pepper.
Cut steak into cubes; transfer to marinade bowl and toss to coat.
Wash tomatoes, mushrooms and green pepper. Halve mushrooms. Add tomatoes, mushrooms and green pepper to marinade. Peel onion and cut into chunks; add to marinade. Toss beef and vegetables until well coated.
Heat grill pan, outdoor grill or skillet to medium-high heat.
Thread steak and vegetables onto six skewers.
Cook kebabs in batches until steak is browned and vegetables are tender, 3-5 minutes per side. Transfer to plate and repeat with remaining kebabs.
To serve, plate kebabs and sprinkle with remaining minced parsley.

Grilled Chicken Salad with Goat Cheese, Fresh Blueberries and Pecans

Recipe courtesy of Safeway and Albertsons
Total time: 20 minutes

3/4 pound boneless, skinless O Organics chicken breasts
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon black pepper
2 teaspoons O Organics extra-virgin olive oil
1 package (5 ounces) O Organics spring mix
1 package (6 ounces) O Organics blueberries (or desired berry)
1/4 cup O Organics pecan halves
3 tablespoons O Organics olive oil
1 tablespoon O Organics balsamic vinegar
1/2 log (4 ounces) O Organics goat cheese

Pat chicken dry with paper towels and place on cutting board. Cut chicken in half horizontally to form thin cutlets. Season with salt and pepper on both sides.
Preheat grill pan, outdoor grill or skillet to medium-high heat.
Once pan is hot, coat with oil. Add chicken to pan and grill, turning once, until cooked through, 3-4 minutes per side.
Wash and dry spring mix. Place in medium bowl.
Wash and dry blueberries. Add to bowl with mixed greens. Using clean cutting board, roughly chop pecans. Add to bowl.
Transfer cooked chicken to cutting board and cut into thin strips.
In bowl, mix olive oil and balsamic vinegar to create dressing.
Add chicken and dressing to salad bowl; toss to combine.
To serve, divide salad between plates or bowls and crumble goat cheese over top.

Mixed Berry-Lime Smoothie Bowl with Banana and Granola

Recipe courtesy of Safeway and Albertsons
Total time: 10 minutes
Yield: 3 cups

1 banana
1/2 package (6 ounces) O Organics blackberries
1/2 lime
2 cups O Organics frozen mixed berries
1 cup plain O Organics Greek yogurt
4 fluid ounces O Organics whole milk
1/8 cup O Organics honey
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
2/3 cup O Organics granola of choice

Wash and dry banana and blackberries.
Peel and thinly slice banana; set aside.
Zest and juice lime into blender. Add frozen mixed berries, yogurt, milk, honey and cinnamon. Blend on high speed until smooth, 1-2 minutes.
To serve, divide smoothie between bowls and top with banana, blackberries and granola.

Photo courtesy of Getty Images (kebabs)

SOURCE:
Albertsons

Safeway

Community

Fresh Thyme Market Celebrates $400,000 In Donations to Local Food Banks

Fresh Thyme shoppers support Midwest food banks

Published

5 days ago

September 23, 2023

Daily News Staff

DOWNERS GROVE, Ill. /PRNewswire/ — Fresh Thyme Market, a grocer that has a mission to improve the way communities eat by offering real fresh food, is proud to announce for Hunger Action Month that it has donated over $400,000, the equivalent of around 4 million meals*, to the Feeding America network of food banks and other local food banks in 2023.

September is Hunger Action Month, the annual month-long call to action to spread awareness and inspire everyone to join the movement to end hunger.

Fresh Thyme Market has donated over $400,000, the equivalent of around 4 million meals*, to the Feeding America network of food banks and other local food banks in 2023.

“At Fresh Thyme, our partnership with Feeding America and supporting local food banks is not just a collaboration but a shared commitment to combat food insecurity in our local communities,” said Fresh Thyme Market President, Liz Zolcak. “We strive to enrich the lives of the communities we serve. It guides all we do, and we’re proud to give back with our customers in a way that directly aligns with our mission and values.”

Three annual programs are a part of Fresh Thyme’s donation to Feeding America and other local food banks across the brand’s Midwestern footprint:

Round Up at the Register: All Fresh Thyme store locations host a Round Up at the Register program throughout the year, where customers have the opportunity to donate upon checkout each time they shop.
Food Rescue Program: Fresh Thyme stores donate surplus food and meals to community food banks. Each store team works diligently to ensure the food donations are maximized through careful handling of product pulled from the shelf and staged for local food bank partners’ routine pick-ups. In 2023 thus far, Fresh Thyme has donated an additional 900,000 meals through this program.
Grab and Give Initiative: Customers also have the ability to purchase pre-bagged groceries at checkout during the holiday season through the Grab and Give program, where the purchased groceries go directly to local food banks.

Fresh Thyme has been a longstanding partner of Feeding America and other local food banks in its continued commitment to fight against hunger. In addition to donating food and meals, Fresh Thyme employees come together to volunteer at local food banks throughout the year. These events span from Northern Illinois Food Bank to Feeding America West Michigan Food Bank. Fresh Thyme also invites local food bank partners to participate in in-store events to celebrate its customers’ donations and amplify Feeding America’s voice in its local communities.

Fresh Thyme invites its customers to join in its efforts and make a meaningful change in the battle against hunger. To learn more and find a Fresh Thyme location near you, visit freshthyme.com. For more information on Hunger Action Month visit FeedingAmerica.com/take-action.

*$1 helps provide at least 10 meals

About Fresh Thyme Market
Fresh Thyme Market, a local, community-focused grocer with 71 stores in 10 states throughout the Midwest, was born from a genuine desire to help people live better and healthier lives. Every day Fresh Thyme Market works to be a trusted resource in our communities, bringing people access to real food at real affordable prices. With a local focus on what the community needs, each store provides fresh, natural, and organic food at affordable prices. By offering an immersive, intuitive shopping experience, Fresh Thyme Market meets people wherever they are on their journey to living a healthier lifestyle. To learn more, visit freshthyme.com.

About Feeding America
Feeding America is committed to an America where no one is hungry. We support tens of millions of people who experience food insecurity to get the food and resources they say they need to thrive as part of a nationwide network of food banks, statewide food bank associations, food pantries and meal programs. We also invest in innovative solutions to increase equitable access to nutritious food, advocate for legislation that improves food security and work to address factors that impact food security, such as health, cost of living and employment.

We partner with people experiencing food insecurity, policymakers, organizations, and supporters, united with them in a movement to end hunger. Visit FeedingAmerica.org to learn more.

SOURCE Fresh Thyme Market

Community

Global Citizen Forum Unveils Earth Age – the Second Chapter of the Butterfly Effect Trilogy

Published

5 days ago

September 23, 2023

Daily News Staff

RAS AL KHAIMAH CITY, Arab Emirates (Newswire.com) – Held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, UAE Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, the Global Citizen Forum is proud to announce the highly anticipated second chapter of its trilogy, The Butterfly Effect: Earth Age. Hosted alongside COP28 and in Ras Al Khaimah, the nature Emirate of the UAE, the event takes place December 6-7, 2023, and will help focus the world’s attention on humanity’s quest for a sustainable future.

Held in partnership with the Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (RAKTDA), the transformative two-day experience will delve deeper into the core elements that shape our world: Fire, Water, Earth, Air, and Humanity, the fifth and most crucial element. By exploring the symbolism of these elements, Earth Age aims to ignite a passion for solving the challenges we face as a species and explore how we can overcome them together – reemerging with a renewed sense of purpose to build a sustainable future we can be proud to leave behind for coming generations.

“We are the architects of our planet’s future. By harnessing the elements, we can tap into the wisdom of nature and use it as a guide to relate to ourselves, each other, and the world around us,” commented Armand Arton, Founder and Chairman of the Global Citizen Forum. “As global citizens, we are at the core of directing the natural flow of evolution, and therefore are responsible for its path.”

Embracing Ras Al Khaimah’s breathtaking coastline, the Summit will feature captivating beachside experiences, immersive participatory workshops and thought-provoking panel discussions, culminating in a star-studded gala fundraiser. Earth Age is also expected to create history with the first-ever underwater panel on coral reef restoration, in partnership with OceanShot and PADI, highlighting the urgent need for environmental action.

“We look forward to hosting the Global Citizen Forum for a third year in a row, which demonstrates our commitment to an inclusive and sustainable future. We are focused on creating a tourism industry that benefits not only responsible travelers but also our economy, community and natural environment,” explains Raki Phillips, Chief Executive Officer of Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority.

At the culmination of the Summit, the Global Citizen Forum will collaborate with its community to develop a manifesto for future global citizens. Emphasizing meaningful action, transparency, sustainable policy changes, environmental justice, and responsible resource utilization, the Global Citizen Manifesto will uncover and define the elements needed to create lasting change for today and tomorrow.

Held last year, the first chapter in the trilogy – The Butterfly Effect: Human Metamorphosis – hosted an extraordinary gathering of visionaries and changemakers, transcending boundaries and igniting conversations on a multitude of pressing global challenges. With over 650 attendees from 90 countries, the Summit featured an impressive lineup of international icons, including Grammy Award-winning artists Ricky Martin, Wyclef Jean, and Ashanti, bestselling author and alternative medicine pioneer Deepak Chopra, former FBI negotiator Chris Voss, as well as regional superstars like renowned Virgin Radio presenter Kris Fade, and Huda Beauty founders Huda and Mona Kattan.

The stage is now set for an unparalleled journey of discovery, reflection and exploration that awaits at The Butterfly Effect: Earth Age.

About Global Citizen Forum

The Global Citizen Forum is a Canadian non-profit organization driven by a global community of leaders and catalyzers unlocking the potential of global citizenship. Through a series of curated events and experiences, GCF’s community gathers from across the globe for their Annual Summit to bridge dialogue with action for traceable, transparent, and measurable impact.

About Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (RAKTDA)
Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (RAKTDA) was established in May 2011 under the government of Ras Al Khaimah. RAKTDA aims to develop the Emirate’s tourism infrastructure and establish Ras Al Khaimah as a world-class destination for leisure and business travel, creating sustainable investment opportunities and enhancing the quality of life for its residents. In order to achieve its goals, the Authority has a government mandate to license, regulate and monitor the Emirate’s tourism and hospitality industry.

About Ras Al Khaimah

Ras Al Khaimah (RAK) is the northernmost of the seven Emirates that make up the United Arab Emirates. It is known for its diverse landscape, from 64km of beaches to deserts and imposing mountains, as well as its rich history, dating back 7,000 years. It has many archaeological sites, four of which have been shortlisted on UNESCO’s tentative list of World Heritage Sites. The Emirate’s Jebel Jais, which is the highest mountain in the UAE, boasts attractions including Jebel Jais Flight, the world’s longest zip line at almost 3km, and 1484 by Puro, the UAE’s highest restaurant. Ras Al Khaimah is centrally located at the modern crossroads between Europe, Asia and Africa, with one-third of the world’s population within four hours of flying time, making it an ideal location for businesses to expand into the UAE, the Middle East and Africa region and beyond. The Emirate boasts one of the most diverse economies in the region, with no single sector accounting for more than 30% of the Emirate’s GDP – a critical advantage that enhances Ras Al Khaimah’s economic flexibility and strength. Ras Al Khaimah has been rated in the ‘A’ range by Fitch and Standard & Poor’s international ratings agencies for 15 years. Ras Al Khaimah is a multicultural society, with a population of 0.4 million people in 2023. With year-round sunshine, straightforward business set-up and a competitive and affordable cost of living, Ras Al Khaimah is the informed choice for business, lifestyle and exploration.

Source: Global Citizen Forum

Blog

Chartwells Higher Education Launches New International Dining Experience Focused on Authentic Global Flavors

United Table offers unique global cuisines and helps students celebrate different cultures

Published

6 days ago

September 22, 2023

Daily News Staff

CHARLOTTE, N.C., Sept. 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — Recognized leader in contract foodservice management Chartwells Higher Education has announced United Table, a new dining experience focused on global flavors. Students at Northeastern University and the University of Illinois Chicago are the first to experience United Table’s bold, modern dining experience that celebrates the stories of cultures, cuisines, and people around the world through authentic dishes, ingredients, and cooking techniques.

Research from the Institute of International Education (IIE) shows international student enrollment in higher education is on the rise. According to IIE’s Fall 2022 Snapshot on International Student Enrollment, the number of new international students enrolled at U.S. institutions increased by 7% last year, building on the 80% rebound in new enrollments during the previous academic year. With United Table, Chartwells is creating a tailored dining location that not only meets the needs and wants of international students but opens the door for all students to experience new cultures through food.

“There’s something special about sharing a meal with friends, family, and even people you’ve never met before, which is why we’re always looking to create food-forward initiatives that bring students together,” said Lisa McEuen, CEO of Chartwells Higher Education. “We hope United Tables gives international students a taste of home while also encouraging others to engage with new cultures, people, and foods and ultimately create more meaningful interactions with one another.”

Chartwells’ culinarians conducted extensive market research and taste tests to create the United Table’s special menu, which features a variety of concepts and recipes such as:

Asian kitchens featuring Korean fried chicken, pulled pork banh mi, and chicken biryani
Mediterranean kitchens featuring Turkish ezme salad, beef shawarma, and shatta chicken
Latin kitchens featuring birria tacos, Jamaican jerk chicken, and arepas
Global breakfast options featuring English breakfast, calentado, and Japanese fluffy pancakes

“As an international student, when you’re away from home, food is something that you really miss because its flavors take you back to happy memories of where you grew up,” says a third-year Northeastern student from Greece. “It’s been a challenge to find traditional foods in the States so it’s a very comforting feeling to be able to come to the dining hall and have something that takes you back to home and makes you feel comfortable.”

For more information on United Table please visit chartwellshighered.com.

Chartwells is the recognized leader in contract food service management, hospitality, and guest service at over 300 college and universities in the United States. Chartwells is re-inventing the on-campus dining experience by investing in high-tech, food-infused social spaces that bring students and people together to promote meaningful relationships and interactions. The company’s excellence in culinary, nutrition, technology, and sustainability brings truly unique dining experiences to every campus.

Learn more about how Chartwells is creating joy in campus dining and preparing students for success at www.ChartwellsHigherEd.com, www.DineonCampus.com.

SOURCE Chartwells Higher Education