Happy Food Day, Washington! October 24, from here on out, is now a day that America can collectively become more conscious about food safety, responsible food production and healthy and affordable food.
Created by the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI), the campaign touts six principles to accomplish its goals: “1. Reduce diet-related disease by promoting safe, healthy foods 2. Support sustainable farms and limit subsidies to big agribusiness 3. Expand access to food and alleviate hunger 4. Protect the environment & animals by reforming factory farms 5. Promote health by curbing junk-food marketing to kids 6. Support fair conditions for food and farm workers.”
But this isn’t CSPI’s first attempt at promoting conscious eating. As Tim Carman reported last week, Food Day was originally part of the Earth Day movement and was shelved for 34 years due to lack of funding. Now it’s back and ready to “transform the American diet.”
This year’s Food Day has over 1,500 nationwide events, according to a recent e-mail update from the campaign. The District has especially embraced the concept with Mayor Vince Gray issuing a Food Day proclamation. D.C.-area businesses, non-profit organizations, schools, chefs and even individual residents have also been actively participating in the resurgence. Below are a just few of today’s comings and goings, but for more events around you, check out the campaign’swebsite.
FOOD TRUCK: K Street is going to be bustling with food trucks during lunch time. TaKorean, Tasty Kabob, Basil Thyme and Red Hook Lobster Truck are just a few of the scheduled trucks appearing at the K Street Food Truck Festival. Be sure to check out each truck’s Twitter updates to find out the location and when they’ll open their window.
PICNIC: If you want enjoy your food truck goods al fresco or need a break from a manic Monday, head over to Farragut Square (whether permitting) for a group picnic from 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.
FILM: “Nourish: food +community” will be screening at George Washington University (800 21st Street NW, Room 308) at 3 p.m. D.C. Shadow Senator Paul Strauss, the D.C. Farm to School Network, and founder of G.W.’s Food Justice Alliance/professor Brent Olson are panel speakers.
MUSEUM: The National Archives hosts a Food Day open house from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. Visitors interested in learning more about food policy initiatives can meet representatives from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Mars, Inc., FRESHFARM Markets, ThinkFood Group, and other food-related organizations.
PIG ROAST: Enjoy Meridian Pint’s (3400 11th Street NW) special local food menu, which includes a Bella Terra Family Farm Tamworth pig roast. 5 – 10 p.m. Tickets: $15 for pig roast and $32 for three-course set menu.
MUSIC: Brooklyn-based Suckers plays at DC9 Nightclub (1940 9th St. NW) during a benefit show for Common Good City Farm. 8:30 p.m. Tickets: $15.
