Thursday, September 2, 2010

Bento Fights Hunger

I am really excited about my 60th Bento post, because with it I am introducing my new pledge to fight hunger in Sonoma County. Susan Yuen of Hawai`i's Bento Box Cookbook donates a dollar to her local food bank every time she makes a bento blog post. She makes that donation each time she hits a twentieth post to make it easy to keep track of her donations. I LOVE this idea, and I am starting it with this post. Since it is my 60th bento blog post, I made a donation of $60 today to the Redwood Empire Food Bank. Redwood Empire Food Bank is the largest hunger-relief agency in Sonoma County, providing food to 75,000 people every month.

We are so lucky to have the luxury of farmers markets and cute food for our bento box lunches. Every kid, every mom, every dad should be able to enjoy nutritious lunches. I encourage you to support the Redwood Empire Food Bank, and to also find the food banks in your own communities who are working so hard to feed those in need. You can click here to donate, and I have also added their link to the right side of my blog.

Today's bento features a green zebra tomato from The Patch, cherry tomatoes from Ridgeview Farms, french radishes from Ridgeview Farms, leftover steak, homemade spaetzle, figs from The Patch, two chunks of Point Reyes Toma cheese, cucumber and basil from Crescent Moon Farms, and slices of charentais melon from Ridgeview Farms.

Charentais melons taste so amazing, they have more subtle flavors than cantaloupe. These are melons from Reenie at Ridgeview Farms. The charentais are the smaller ones with the green ridge along the outside.

I am also really excited today because I just got the pictures from a photo shoot I did with my buddy Candice Caballero. Candice is soooo talented. You really have to check out her work. She was asking for people to model for an upcoming photo exhibit so I volunteered. We headed to a local golf course with my scooter and did what I jokingly refer to as a "Scoot Shoot" - ha ha! Here's a few of the fun shots she got.



Probably no bento posts this weekend, since I get to head to the Taste of Sonoma on Saturday. It's going to be so much fun! Have a great weekend bento buddies!

22 comments:

  1. Beautiful photos!! And I commend both you and Susan for big hearts! Way to go!!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Thanks Chantale!! Bentos for everyone! Or at least lunch. :)

    ReplyDelete
  3. That looks so amazing and fresh. I wish I wish we had such wonderful produce here in the midwest.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Thanks so much Patrizzia! You should come out for a visit. Sonoma County and the North Bay are so beautiful.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Kudos to you for making a difference to many. We are blessed with an abundance and it's good to give back. Beautiful bento, and cute bentomaker!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Aww, thanks sheri! I think this will help me remember how much I have and how much I can do to help others.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Your bento photos are always a treat to view. And now even more inspiring with your decision to donate to your local food bank.!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Thanks KL! I hope this will inspire others to look for ways to help in their own communities as well.

    ReplyDelete
  9. I saw Susan's last post when she talked about donations, I think it's amazing that you have made the commitment to help. My husband and I have been talking about finding a charity for a while now, I think you and Susan might be pushing us in that direction. We may not have much to give, but every little bit counts. :) Love your "scoot shoot"!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Thanks so much Heather! Depending on how often I post, I'll be donating 20 dollars about every other month. I think that this is a very manageable amount, it certainly won't break the bank. And there are so many of us bento bloggers out there, we can definitely make a difference if we all help out a little.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Love is what really counts in public welfare, regardless of how much money is donated. We need a caring society. You are so kind and good-hearted . Love the bento and your "Scoot Shoot". :)

    ReplyDelete
  12. oh how nice to get to see you! thanks for sharing the pics, they are lovely. As is the bento. Have a good time!

    ReplyDelete
  13. nice pics...it's nice to finally "see" you
    and salute for your big heart :-D
    have a great weekend too

    ReplyDelete
  14. You and Susan are making more people smile!

    Always enjoy your fresh and healthy bentos... and all those great stuff from the farmers' market!

    Of course not forgetting to compliment you on those great photos! Have a great weekend Sonoma!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Thanks emilynpf! I agree, we do need compassion as well as funds to help our communities stay healthy and cared for.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Hi Kelly! I love my scooter, so much fun! :)

    ReplyDelete
  17. Hi Journal Mommy Yenny! Thanks for the kind words, you have a great weekend too. :)

    ReplyDelete
  18. Thanks Angeleyes! I go a little overboard at the market during the last few days of summer. There's always so many tempting things to get.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Great photos, thanks for sharing! Your zesty spirit shines through :D The donations idea is excellent!!

    Love how we are enjoying so many of the same late-summer treats: zebra tomatoes, figs!

    ReplyDelete
  20. Hi bentobird! I saw the green zebras on your blog, too. I just love them! The big Kendall-Jackson Tomato Festival is coming up on September 11th, so I am about to go into tomato overload! Yay!

    ReplyDelete
  21. You are awesome!!! Such a great cause and I love the pics of you! Beautiful!

    ReplyDelete
  22. Thank YOU Susan for inspiring me with your great example. :)

    ReplyDelete