Local Food Bloggers at the Sacramento Food Bank

I can tell you this for sure: Garrett has a black belt in Cupcake baking. But first, a happy digression:

Garrett over at Vanilla Garlic had a great idea: Why don't we Sacramento and Davis area food bloggers volunteer a morning of our time at the Sacramento Food Bank? A bunch of us said Count Me In: Elise of Simply Recipes, Madeline of Everything Rachael Ray, Ann of Sacatomato, Garrett and myself, plus Garrett's friend Penelope. I told Penelope she was going to have to start a food blog, because she fit right in with the rest of us. She tells me she is a good food taster and I said that would make a good theme for her blog!

Anywho, we showed up at 7:30 am this morning (or shortly thereafter) and spent several hours preparing food for grocery bags that would later be distributed to people who needed them. We were joined by a few dozen teenagers who assisted with making lunches for the day (peanut butter sandwiches). We were told that about 750 people would be served today, many of whom would rely on those groceries to get them through the week.

It certainly is poignant to work with other food bloggers, people who love good and nutritious food, to help provide food for those who don't have the luxury of choice at the grocery store due to financial hardship. Sadly, being poor is as much about lack of quality in food available as much as it is about the amount of food on the table. Discussions on eating organic or local food recedes into the background when poverty asserts itself as the pressing issue. We food bloggers agreed that we want to go back in the summer, when volunteers are more scarce, and help out again.

Despite the sobering reminders of deprivation here in the "land of plenty", there were many delights and pleasures in the day. First, it was wonderful to meet my fellow local bloggers face to face. (Previously I had only met Elise, who is a close neighbor of mine.) Secondly, Garrett brought the most amazing chocolate, star-anise and grapefruit cupcakes (called Port Royals) to share! Hoo boy, they were tasty. The aroma was heavenly and the spicyness was a perfect complement to the sweetness. I was secretly hoping he might bring some along, and I was not disappointed. Third, when I ferried Elise home (we car pooled, being neighbors as I said), she bounced out of the car and dashed into the house, and returned to press jars of Meyer lemon and Seville orange marmelade into my hands. And I love marmelade. So even though the day was about "giving", I felt myself to be on the receiving end in so many ways.

We had some time to talk over coffee before we parted ways, and it has only whetted my apetite for more such gatherings with these wonderful, talented food bloggers and friends. What a delightful day.

Comments

[Garrett]

It was awesome to fginally meet you! It was so much fun.
(And you got Elise's marmalade? Lucky!!!)

[kevin]

Andrea,
It irritates me that I could have been the "grand old man" of Sacramento food blogging (having started SG in 2003 when I was still living there) but left before anyone else arrived on the scene. Typical Weeks' timing.{sigh}

Sounds like you folks had a good time and I wish I'd been there.

[Andrea]

Hey Garrett--beleive me, I know I am lucky to have scored Elise's marmelade! Almost didn't mention it, but went ahead and risked engendering envy. :)
It was a delight to meet you too, after having been cyber friends for months.

Kevin--as far as I am concerned, you are still an Honorary Sacramento Blogger Emeritus. All Sacto-Davis bloggers who agree, raise your hands!

[Kalyn]

You're lucky to live around so many other food bloggers. Sounds fun. Elise is one of the few food bloggers I've met and I just adore her!

[Andrea]

Hi Kalyn,
Yes, I count myself lucky (and blessed) to be able to connect with other bloggers who share my interests. It is good you advertise your location (Utah) on your blog. Maybe if you can interest a local newspaper in profiling your blog, others in your area will come out of the woodwork.
You're so right about Elise--she's a wonderful person and very generous with her considerable knowledge. Simply Recipes is a top notch blog.

[Madeline Miller]

We are lucky to have Garrett to organize us, too! It was wonderful to meet you Andrea.