Busy day, what to do for dinner?

Busy day, what to do for dinner? You can avoid take out and eat healthy. Beth Ricci, Contributing Writer for Keeper of the Home has a solution:

"So, easy homemade (from scratch, not from a box) meal ideas are a must. We often do things like brinner (breakfast for dinner), grilled cheese, or a basic meat + starch + veggie meal of some kind. Maybe a hearty salad. But you can easily branch out further and get creative with a few of the ideas below. 

Most of the meals below can be whipped up in 30 minutes or less. Most require little prep time. And all of these quick and easy weeknight meals are going to nourish your family a bajillion times more than the drive-through, and be cheaper, too."

30+ Quick & Easy Weeknight Meals (Keeper of the Home iamge)

Continue reading to find her listing of 30 quick and easy healthy recipes for dinner
http://www.keeperofthehome.org/2015/03/30-quick-easy-weeknight-meals.html 

Do you have a family favorite recipe that should be on this list? If you do, please comment or email it to steve@franklinfoodpantry.org and we can update the listing to include Franklin favorites.

What is the single best drink for your health?

Tuesday, this should be a good time for a brief video.

Stuff A Truck Challenge At Healthy Kids Day

The Franklin Food Pantry will be bringing their new Mobile Pantry Truck to Healthy Kids Day and we challenge you to help us fill it with healthier items!

The Stuff a Truck Challenge will close out the Hockomock Area YMCA 2014 Healthy Futures Food Drive.

When: Saturday, May 3rd

Where: Patriot Place NRG Plaza, Foxborough MA

Time: 10:00 am - 2:00 pm

Hockomock YMCA

 Suggested donation items include: high fiber cereal, low sodium canned vegetables, toiletries, paper goods, whole grain pasta, pasta sauce, olive oil, spices, 100% fruit juice, multi-vitamins, white tuna, cans of beans, oatmeal, nuts or seeds

Mass in Motion

Healthy Futures Shelf - Wish List

The Healthy Futures Shelf is made possible by a grant from the MetroWest Health Foundation. It provides access to nutritious choices in partnership with Stop and Shop, the Hockomock Area YMCA and through generous donations from the community.





Why does the wish list have non-food items?
SNAP benefits restricts the purchase to food and these items you still need for a healthy life.

• Print out this flyer to take with you when you go shopping.
• Share this copy with a neighbor or friend.
• Follow the Food Pantry on Facebook 
• Subscribe to receive updates via email as new posts are created here (subscribe via email on the home page)

Franklin Food Pantry Receives Grant from Darden Restaurants

Funds Earmarked to Support the Healthy Futures Initiative - Grant is one of more than 850 awarded through Darden’s 2nd annual Restaurant Community Grants program

The Franklin Food Pantry was selected as a recipient of a $1,000 grant as part of the Restaurant Community Grants program from the Darden Foundation, the charitable arm of Darden Restaurants Inc. The grants program, now in its second year, empowers each restaurant in the Darden family of brands to help award a $1,000 grant to support local community programs.

Chosen by the LongHorn Steakhouse restaurant in Franklin, The Franklin Food Pantry has earmarked Darden’s funds to supply fresh fruit to its clients through its recently launched Healthy Futures Shelf. 

In Photo from left to right:  Linda Sottile, Director of Operations at the
Franklin Food Pantry; Jodi Morgan, Kitchen Manager, Jessica Studley,
Culinary Professional, and Jason McHenry, Managing Partner from LongHorn
Steakhouse in Franklin;  Tony Kucich, Volunteer at the Franklin Food Pantry,
and Jon Morse of The Big Apple in Wrentham.

“With this grant from Darden and support from The Big Apple in Wrentham, The Pantry can supply approximately 240 apples each week for 4 months, a welcome item on the shelves at The Pantry this Fall”, stated Linda Sottile, Director of Operations for The Pantry.

Healthy Futures Franklin is part of Mass in Motion (MIM), a statewide movement that promotes opportunities for healthy eating and active living. MIM programs work with communities, schools, childcare centers, and businesses to create changes that make it easy for people to eat better and move more. “Together, we can create healthier communities, and a healthier Commonwealth. We have received funding through the Massachusetts Department of Public Health to continue the work in Franklin, and the Franklin Food Pantry has been an instrumental partner in these efforts”, said Marissa Garofano, Director of Community Wellness for the Hockomock Area YMCA.

According to Erin Lynch, Director of Development at the Franklin Food Pantry, “Providing nutritional advocacy and access to fresh fruits and produce is a priority for The Pantry in its role as a Healthy Futures partner. The high cost of perishable items is a barrier to wholesome nutrition for many families. We try to supply these items to our clients whenever affordable and available. We are very grateful to Darden Restaurants for their contribution to this community effort.” The Pantry has also received support from MetroWest Health Foundation, Stop & Shop, and the community to enhance the variety and quality of healthy items and nutrition resources that they can offer.

Darden’s Red Lobster, Olive Garden, LongHorn Steakhouse, Bahama Breeze, Seasons 52, The Capital Grille and Eddie V’s brands participated in the grant program. Many restaurants and brands worked together to award one nonprofit organization with a larger grant and make a greater impact in their community. The restaurants will award more than $1.9 million to more than 850 exceptional nonprofit organizations in the U.S. and Canada. Nonprofits receiving grants support one of Darden’s three key focus areas: access to postsecondary education, preservation of natural resources and hunger. 

“Our employees are incredibly passionate about the communities where they live, and our restaurant teams are in a position to understand and help address the needs of their communities,” said Drew Madsen, Darden Restaurants’ president and chief operating officer. “We’re all proud to build on that passion through the grants program and bring real, local citizenship to life by enabling each restaurant to make a difference in their backyard.” 

For more information about the Darden Foundation, please visit www.dardenfoundation.com. For additional information on The Franklin Food Pantry, please visit www.franklinfoodpantry.org. For more information on Mass in Motion, please contact Marissa Garofano at marissag@HOCKYMCA.ORG or visit www.healthyfuturesfranklin.org for information on the Healthy Futures Initiative. 

About Darden Restaurants
Darden Restaurants, Inc., (NYSE: DRI), the world’s largest full-service restaurant company, owns and operates more than 2,000 restaurants that generate over $8.0 billion in annual sales. Headquartered in Orlando, Fla., and employing more than 190,000 people, Darden is recognized for a culture that rewards caring for and responding to people. In 2013, Darden was named to the FORTUNE “100 Best Companies to Work For” list for the third year in a row and is the only full-service restaurant company to ever appear on the list. Our restaurant brands – Red Lobster, Olive Garden, LongHorn Steakhouse, Bahama Breeze, Seasons 52, The Capital Grille, Eddie V’s and Yard House – reflect the rich diversity of those who dine with us. Our brands are built on deep insights into what our guests want. For more information, please visit, www.darden.com.

The Darden Foundation
The Darden Restaurants, Inc. Foundation is the charitable arm of Darden Restaurants, Inc. The Foundation’s mission is to maintain a spirit of volunteerism and philanthropy as defining characteristics of Darden Restaurants. Since 1995, the Darden Foundation has awarded more than $60 million in grants, with $7.2 million given in fiscal year 2012. The Darden Foundation carries out its mission by focusing philanthropic efforts and resources on the following program areas: Access to Postsecondary Education, Preservation of Natural Resources and Good Neighbor Grants. For more information, please visit, www.dardenfoundation.com. 

About The Franklin Food Pantry
Established in 1987, the mission of the Franklin Food Pantry is to provide immediate hunger relief and healthy sustainable solutions, by empowering the community through resources, education and collaboration. It is part of the Greater Boston Food Bank network and depends entirely on support and donations from volunteers, corporate partners and the community at large. The Franklin Food Pantry is located at 43 West Central Street, Route 140 and can accept donations during business hours, Tuesday - Friday, 9am -1pm. Non-perishables may also be dropped off after hours in the bin by the front door, or monetary donations may be mailed to Franklin Food Pantry, PO Box 116, Franklin MA 02038. For more information, visit us at franklinfoodpantry.org, like our page on Facebook, or call us at 508-528-3115. The Franklin Food Pantry is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization FEIN # 04-3272663.

Alternatives to candy for Halloween

We have shared recipes and other good posting from Lisa Leake who writes at the 100 Days of Real Food. Here she spends about 5 minutes with a bit on her local TV morning show talking about how to avoid giving out candy for Halloween.

For more from Lisa visit and subscribe to 100 Days of Real Food http://www.100daysofrealfood.com/

Navigating the Supermarket Aisles With Michael Pollan and Michael Moss

Food choices can be tough. Combine specific dietary needs, volume sufficient for your family and your budget and the choices can be challenging.

So when two rather well known journalists on food go to the market, what choices do they make?

This is not the Michaels’ mien. Walking through the aisles of an urban supermarket, journalists Micahel Pollan and Michael Moss, who both write about issues of food and health, appear more like reporters in a conflict zone than your average domesticated shopper. 

But in a new video and story published in the New York Times this week, that’s exactly what the pair were sent to do: Buy provisions from a grocery store for a meal that would pass muster with the high standards put forward in Pollan’s Cooked and Moss’ Sugar Salt Fat. Unprocessed, low-salt, no added sugar, local, sustainable, organic, humane.

http://www.takepart.com/article/2013/05/03/michael-pollan-and-michael-moss-go-shopping?cmpid=foodinc-fb





For more on Michael Pollan visit his website  http://michaelpollan.com/

For more on Michael Moss visit his website http://michaelmossbooks.com/

What does 2,000 calories look like? (video)

Inspired by a post on WiseGeek, this Buzzfeed video set out to see how far 2,000 calories actually goes when you eat, say, only carrots or M&Ms. If you're worrying that these "meals" just don't look like that much food, relax: 2,000 calories is "only enough to sustain children and postmenopausal women." 

The original Atlantic post can be found here
http://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2013/04/42-mcnuggets-or-227-cinnabons-what-2-000-calories-looks-like/274571/

Do you believe in healthy eating?

If you believe that eating healthy is a right not a privilege, then Healthy Futures Franklin is a cause to seriously consider:




Join us for this meeting, Wednesday evening from 6:00 - 7:00 PM at the Franklin Food Pantry.

The Food Pantry is located in the Rockland Trust parking lot in Downtown Franklin. The lights will be on. We'll meet in the conference room on the 2nd floor.

The power of play!

If you believe in the power of play, then Healthy Futures Franklin is a cause to seriously consider:




Join us for this meeting, Wednesday evening from 6:00 - 7:00 PM at the Franklin Food Pantry.

The Food Pantry is located in the Rockland Trust parking lot in Downtown Franklin. The lights will be on. We'll meet in the conference room on the 2nd floor.

Join Healthy Futures Franklin

Join Healthy Futures Franklin to create sustainable change in our community. We believe that it takes a village (or community) to energize, inspire, and spark change. We are looking for sparkplugs (volunteers to serve on subcommittees) in Franklin who also believe that:

• Play is powerful – Access to parks, outdoor recreation, and sidewalks is a priority
• Healthy eating is a right not a privilege – Access to healthy, affordable foods is possible
• United voices create change – Increase awareness of programs, projects and polices underway

Healthy Futures Franklin, a Mass in Motion initiative, works locally to increase opportunities for Franklin

Healthy Futures Franklin

residents to eat better and move more in the places they live, learn, work, and play. Franklin is among 52 cities and towns throughout the Commonwealth that are part of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health’s Mass in Motion Municipal Wellness and Leadership Program. Healthy Futures Franklin is working to support the implementation of Complete Street Policies, Safe Routes to School, Community Gardens, Safe Areas to Play and Be Active, and improving school nutrition initiatives that will make the healthy choice the easy choice for residents of Franklin.

Mass in Motion

Subcommittees will be meeting for the first time on March 20th at the Franklin Food Pantry Conference Room to focus on developing time lines to implement high impact strategies and policies to improve the health of Franklin. Become part of the movement or attend to learn more. There is no obligation to stay involved, but please consider learning what this is all about and help be part of the solution.

Both Subcommittees are scheduled to meet Wednesday, March 20, at the Franklin Food Pantry back to back to accommodate community members who are interested in both areas of focus.

• Active Living Subcommittee – Wednesday, March 20, 6 – 7 PM
• Healthy Eating Subcommittee – Wednesday, March 20, 7 – 8 PM

Please contact Lauren Marciszyn at 774.235.2737 or via email at LaurenM@hockymca.org to become involved, join our mailing list or learn more about this coalition.

Healthy Eating classes!

As part of the Food Pantry's effort to help with healthy food, we are sharing this newsletter from Karen Ring. Karen regularly offers classes on healthy eating. Some of Karen's classes are free and some have an entry fee.

-----------------

Hi Friends!!! Hope you are all well and enjoying the Fall. I have 3 classes planned for October if anyone can make it!! See descriptions below. The attached file is the poster for the Whole Foods Market classes :) Thanks and hope to see you there!!!

Add in and Crowd Out with SUPERFOODS

Wednesday, October 10th 6pm-7pm   
                                  

We all know that we're supposed to be eating more fruits and vegetables, but getting those nutrients and antioxidants into our busy schedules is too often an unmet goal. If this sounds familiar, it's time to discover SUPERFOODS! Join Whole Foods Market Bellingham's Organic Rock Star/Team Member Karen Ring and co-founder of EdibleEvolutions.com as she will open your heart to these nutrient dense, mysterious foods!! Call 508-966-3331 to reserve your spot!

 "Veg Out"

Sunday, October 14th 11:30am-1pm

Veg Out at Team Fitness/Cross Fit Franklin Sunday afternoon for a nutrient packed lecture and demo! You will learn innovative ways to get more fresh raw vegetables into your diet. Healthy Eating Extraordinaire, Karen Ring will teach you fusion cooking methods so you can blend flavors and cooking techniques to create interesting twists on your everyday food choices. Lets have fun with our veggies!

Come see and taste all the Paleo approved recipes:

• Spicy Carrot and Ginger Soup
• Nori Wrapped Bundles of Joy with a dipping sauce
• Coconut Cauliflower Rice with Mango Salsa
• Green Tea "Ice Cream"

COST: $30/person Call Team Fitness Franklin to reserve your spot 508-541-8330 or sign up at the front desk!

Get to Know Your Winter Squash

Wednesday, October 17th 6pm-7pm

Hubbard, Kabocha, Turban, Acorn, Delicata, OH MY! If these words remind you of some old fable or fairy tale, you are not alone! Join Whole Foods Market Bellingham's Team Member Karen Ring for this very informative class on all the different types of winter squashes you should be incorporating into your diet this season. Cooking demonstration and samples will be provided. Call 508-966-3331 to reserve your spot!

  

--
Karen M Ring
CPT / Health Coach / AADP
8 Rona Lane
Franklin, MA 02038
Cell: 508.954.8837

http://www.edibleevolutions.com/

Harvest Festival

Franklin has a Food Pantry?
Yes, it does. Located in the Rockland Trust parking lot in downtown Franklin (across from the Fire Station).

Members of the Board of Directors will be available to talk about what the Pantry does, who it serves, and how you may be able to help. Board members will be at the Food Pantry during the Harvest Festival on Sunday, Sep 30 from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM.

If you have food or non-food donations, we will graciously accept them during this time.

The map of the Harvest Festival showing what vendors, businesses and entertainment options you'll have to visit



Stop by the Food Pantry!

Garden fresh from Tri-County

Tri-County students Emily Scannell of Franklin and Jimmy McCarthy of Walpole proudly presented the Franklin Food Pantry with a donation of freshly picked produce on Tuesday, August 7, courtesy of the school’s very own heirloom vegetable garden.

Scannell, a junior, and McCarthy, a sophomore, delivered freshly picked green, purple, banana, and jalapeño peppers, tomatoes, zucchini, cucumbers, and eggplant to Franklin Food Pantry Manager and Director of Operations, Linda Sottile.

“It’s with the support of organizations like Tri-County and local farmers, who offer us fresh produce, that we are able to offer healthy options to our clients. It’s neighbors helping neighbors,” said Sottile of the donation.

Tuesday’s donation marks the third delivery Tri-County students have made to the Franklin Food Pantry as a result of the bounty of the Tri-County heirloom vegetable garden. “It makes me feel good to know that the produce is going to help people,” noted Jimmy McCarthy, who has helped to water and maintain the garden over the summer in partnership with a group of other students, teachers, and faculty members.

The Tri-County vegetable garden was made possible by a school wide fundraiser organized by members of the Student Council and inspired by a meeting with a representative from National Grid about the benefits of energy conservation. Students raised $2,000 selling Compact Fluorescent Light bulbs (CLF’s) and advanced powerstrips, which funded the garden set up.

Tri-County Environmental Science Teacher and TC Green Club Advisor Nancy Sibilia and Culinary Arts Instructor and Student Council Advisor Nancy Haney volunteered as the Garden Coordinators. English Teacher Peter Hefele stepped forward to donate the heirloom vegetables for planting, and herbs for planting were donated by Special Education Teacher Jane Baldi and Adult Cosmetology Instructor Barbara Perron.

The garden was planted in earth boxes around the back of the school building in May and June by students in the Facilities Management Career Program, Culinary Arts Career Program, Grade 12 Environmental Science classes, and members of the Student Council and TC Green Club.

During the summer months, Sibilia, Haney, and Lynn Wencus took turns tending and watering the garden daily with Tri-County students Scannell and McCarthy, as well as sophomore Sean Duren, juniors Katherine Cornell, Joseph Galligan of Medway and Jack Greene of Walpole, and senior Bridget McHugh of Medway.

“It’s been great to see the students doing a project like this. They are able to learn from planting and growing the vegetables, and then they see the final result and how those vegetables are going to help to feed people,” explained Nancy Sibilia. “We have many more visits to make to the Food Pantry this summer. Our tomatoes are starting to ripen and we have other types of peppers that are nearly ready as well,” she added.

Tri-County RVTHS was honored with a 2012 Secretary’s Award for Excellence in Energy and Environmental Education at the Massachusetts State House in May, which recognizes schools, teachers, and students involved in school-based programs that promote environmental and energy education.

Tri-County received a First Honors Certificate of Excellence for their “Clean Energy Initiatives,” which include the heirloom vegetable garden, the installation of a photovoltaic training structure on school grounds, and the formation of the TC Green Club.

For more information about the Franklin Food Pantry, visit www.franklinfoodpantry.org or call (508) 528-3115.

Tri-County RVTHS, located at 147 Pond Street, Franklin, is a recipient of the High Schools That Work Gold Achievement Award and serves the communities of Franklin, Medfield, Medway, Millis, Norfolk, North Attleboro, Plainville, Seekonk, Sherborn, Walpole, and Wrentham.


This article did appear in the Milford Daily News
http://www.milforddailynews.com/features/x2118932470/Tri-County-students-aid-the-Franklin-Food-Pantry


Note: The Food Pantry was having problems with our website at that time in August.

“Lose For Good Open House” to help the Food Pantry

Weight Watchers will be hosting a “Lose For Good Open House” event on Saturday, September 15th, at their location in Franklin. Join us for this very special one-day-only offer, prizes, refreshments, recipes and more! The Open House will host a “Lose For Good” food drive to benefit The Franklin Food Pantry. So remember to bring a non-perishable item to donate. If you have ever wanted to find out more about Weight Watchers there has never been a better time to come in.

Saturday, September 15th from 7am to 3pm

Franklin Weight Watchers

Horace Mann Plaza, 255 East Central Street

Franklin, MA 02038

85 Snack Ideas for Kids (and Adults)!

Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:

85 Snack Ideas for Kids (and Adults)!

via 100 Days of Real Food by Lisa on 7/31/12

If you're in a rut here are some snack ideas for inspiration. Please leave any additional suggestions in the comments below…

Fruits and Vegetables… Apple (good with peanut butter) Banana (good with peanut butter) Carrots (good with hummus or ranch dip) Celery (good with peanut butter and raisins a.k.a. "Ants on a Log") Mango Pear . . . → Read More: 85 Snack Ideas for Kids (and Adults)!

85 Snack Ideas for Kids (and Adults)! is a post from: 100 Days of Real Food

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June = MA Dairy Month

Governor Patrick visits the Hornstra Dairy Farm to proclaim June as MA Dairy Month.



The Food Pantry is fortunate to be able to provide fresh dairy products from Garelick Farms to our neighbors. Thank you Garelick Farms!

Local Author To Discuss Making “Little Changes” for More Healthy Living At Franklin YMCA

Easton resident and author Kristi Marsh will discuss her book "Little Changes: Tales of a Reluctant Home Eco-momics Pioneer" on May 23rd at 7:30 pm in the Community Room at the Franklin YMCA. This free author meet and greet event is organized by the Franklin Newcomers and Friends Club.

Marsh, a breast cancer survivor, started trying to make better choices as she was recovering from treatment in 2007. Now a proponent for environmental health, Kristi is passionate about sharing her knowledge and journey with others. Her book discusses how to reduce the chemicals and toxins that we are exposed to on a daily basis, from the foods we eat, the products we use on our bodies and the products we use to clean our homes. Marsh has a website, www.choosewiser.com, where she posts a weekly blog, and a Facebook page with relevant news links and highlights of natural and locally produced products.

On May 23rd, Marsh will speak about herself, her book and how she came about writing it. There will be time for questions, answers and discussion. She will also sell copies of her book and sign them for anyone interested. Admission is free. Complimentary snacks and beverages will be available. This is expected to be a popular program and space is limited. To reserve your spot, please register by sending an email to franklinnewcomers@hotmail.com.

The Franklin Newcomers and Friends Club is a social and charitable club for new and long-time Franklin residents. The Club’s Annual Craft Fair held every November is a town tradition, and the club annually donates thousands of dollars to local charitable organizations. For more information about Franklin Newcomers and Friends, visit www.franklinnewcomers.com.


The video trailer for Kristi's book: