3 Renowned Black Chefs You Should Know About this Black History Month
Happy Black History Month! Historically recognized in February, this month celebrates Black history and heritage of both the past and the present, including educating people on the often forgotten, veiled experiences and figures who shaped various industries. At Common Threads, we recognize and value the cultural roots in which much of our food is rooted in, with many of our recipes stemming from Caribbean, African and Southern cuisines.
FoodPrints shares tips for exploring food through five senses, family traditions
One of Common Threads’ program partners, FRESHFARM FoodPrints, offers programming that creates opportunities for students to learn about different food traditions through their five senses and by building connections with their own cultures and history. In this guest blog, the FoodPrints team shares its approach to educating communities about food (something aligned with Common Threads’ mission) and provides some tips for how families can engage children in positive discussions about food.
Be Mindful About Food Safety While Cooking
Although the food supply in the United States is one of the safest, bacteria or pathogens may still contaminate some foods we eat, making us ill with foodborne disease, also known as “food poisoning”. Currently, there are around 48 million cases of foodborne illness each year – the equivalent of sickening 1 in 6 Americans, making it essential to be mindful about food safety while cooking.
How to understand the % Daily Value on the Nutrition Labels
The Nutrition Facts label on packaged foods and drinks has been updated to make it easier for you to make informed choices. The Daily Values for many nutrients have been updated based on new nutrition research. So, the % Daily Value, or %DV, may be different on some of your favorite foods and beverages.
New Years Food Traditions and Symbolism: Bring in your New Year with Common Threads
Happy New Year! Each year, people all over the world participate in different New Year’s food traditions that are believed to bring them good luck in the coming year. Join us as we dive into some of these traditions!
Mixing up your Traditions this Holiday Season
The holidays are rooted in culture and tradition, similar to our values here at Common Threads. It is also a time to gather with family and friends, to make cherished memories, eat delicious traditional foods, and bring in the new year with the best intentions.
The Past, Present and Future of the Indigenous Food Movement
Staff from Common Threads and the Chicago History Museum were recently joined by Mariah Gladstone, founder of Indigikitchen, to host a virtual webinar highlighting indigenous cultures and cuisine in honor of National American Indian Heritage Month.
Three Easy Ways to Make a Healthier Thanksgiving Meal
Thanksgiving is right around the corner, which means it is time to give thanks and gather with our loved ones! Food is one of the most important traditions during Thanksgiving, with many families selecting dishes like turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing and green beans for their meal. Other families incorporate dishes from their family or cultural heritage for this special occasion.
Nutrition Equity in South Florida: Virtual Panel Discussion
In late October, Common Threads teamed up with local leaders to hold a virtual panel discussion focused on nutrition equity in South Florida. Common Threads Co-Founder and CEO Linda Novick O’Keefe led a discussion with two Miami-Dade County School principals, the CEO of the area’s largest food bank, and three elected officials representing various South Florida communities.
Supporting School-Based Cooking and Nutrition Education with ESSER Funding
To help meet new and emerging needs of school communities during and after the pandemic, historic levels of federal funding for K-12 schools and districts are available through the American Rescue Plan’s ESSER (Elementary & Secondary School Emergency Relief) funds. These dollars can be used to support schools with re-opening, to enhance COVID-19 safety protocols, and to support broad-ranging student services.
