Category: grocery news

Food Bank Summer Food Drive helps Families in Need

[ 0 ] 7.12.2012 | Anisa Raoof

When the final school bell rang in June, not all children were excited by the prospect of two months away from school. For the 49,000 children eligible for free or reduced-price lunch, summer can be a time of increased hunger. Many families find it difficult to fill the gap created by the loss of school meals.

The Rhode Island Community Food Bank kicked off its Summer Food Drive the end of June in hopes of collecting an additional 150,000 pounds of food by August 31 to ensure that no Rhode Islander goes hungry.

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Great Cookbooks for Families: Bean by Bean

[ 0 ] 3.12.2012 | Katy Killilea

Fart avoidance tips are offered in most bean recipes. It seems this is an earnest concern among bean consumers. Crescent Dragonwagon addresses the topic (i.e. the fermentation of oligosaccharides by intestinal bacteria and controlling the volume/fragrance of any resulting gas) in the preliminary chapter of her new cookbook, Bean by Bean; after we’re reassured that nothing too unladylike will result from the cooking and eating of her bean recipes, we’re treated to more than 175 of them–starring fresh beans, canned beans, dried beans, tofu, and miso in soups, spreads, salads, stews, and desserts.

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Act locally: Save Chocolateville

[ 0 ] 2.29.2012 | Anisa Raoof

We love chocolate. Knowing that it’s made locally and supports a good cause — even better.

Chocolateville, as it was known in colonial times, was once a thriving community that combined the best of entrepreneurship, employment, and productivity. Known today as Central Falls, this economically depressed city is home to over 19,000 residents living in one square mile of Rhode Island.

Years of financial and social struggle led to bankruptcy, making Central Falls the epitome of the failing American industrial city. Now Mike Ritz, head of Leadership Rhode Island, and others are trying to help save Central Falls — one chocolate bar at a time.

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Care for a Friend in Need

[ 9 ] 6.18.2011 | Katy Killilea

We asked our own friends and neighbors what they remember as good choices during their own times of need. The main theme that emerged: whatever it is, make it easy to use or to pop in the freezer for another day. And make it easy to understand. Here is a list of food suggestions from the wise (including a recipe), perfect add-ons to any meal, and other non-food items not to forget.

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Treats for All at Wildflour

[ 8 ] 4.6.2011 | Katy Killilea

Whether or not you’re vegan, your family will find something to love at about Wildflour Vegan Bakery & Juice Bar in Pawtucket: Snickerdoodles and scones and raspberry squares and peanut butter brownies; watermelon juice and wheat grass and intense teas and coffees. It’s all vegan, and much of it is gluten free. This is a [...]

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Great Cookbooks for Families: Just Do It. Yourself.

[ 1 ] 2.11.2011 | Katy Killilea

Doing it yourself: it’s pretty much what any kind of bragging boils down to. From the proud toddler who pulls up his own underpants to the grandma who mixes perfect cocktails, everyone craves a sense of mastery. That’s why Vanessa Barrington’s D.I.Y. Delicious has such immediate appeal, whether you’re dipping a pinky toe into DIY, or you’re already fermenting beer in the back of your shoe cobbling studio.

Making things from scratch that most people don’t is a hoot, especially when it’s easy. And better yet: when it’s cheap.

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Grocery News: One Day It Will Be Spring

[ 4 ] 2.1.2011 | Katy Killilea

We’ve given it a good shot. But at this point in the ice and snow, my family’s locavore enthusiasm has dwindled: we’ve got a bushel box of (Seekonk) butternut squash that replenishes itself overnight, a case of applesauce made by (Providence) at-risk teens, and five frozen whole (Saunderstown) chickens. That’s all fine stuff, but it [...]

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Grocery News: 2010 Snack-tacular

[ 0 ] 12.10.2010 | Katy Killilea

by Katy Killilea Some Grocery News-worthy, wholesome snacks have come through these parts recently and it would be wrong for us to keep them to ourselves. Many who’d spend their grocery dollars on these upstanding treats are the very same who grind their own nut butters and bake their own granola bars. But the goodies [...]

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Grocery News: The All-Important Hot Morning Beverage

[ 3 ] 4.28.2010 | Katy Killilea

By Katy Killilea Caffeine-addicted parents cherish that first hot sip from the morning cup. We need it more than food. More than companionship. It’s painful to converse before the hot morning beverage. Children warn each other, “Leave her alone. She didn’t have her drink yet.” While I’d never try to convert a coffee user, there [...]

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Poksak: A Reusable Shopping Bag Helps Fund Education for Orphans

[ 0 ] 3.15.2010 | Anisa Raoof

Poksak is a Rhode Island-based social venture that sells pouchable, reusable tote bags in an effort to fund college scholarships for foster children and raise environmental awareness. This week running Monday, March 15 through Sunday March 21, 2010 Poksak has teamed up with Mothers Acting Up (MAU) and Kidoinfo to bring concerned mothers the Power [...]

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