Have you heard about the a new Muppet named Lily whose family has an ongoing struggle with hunger?  She was introduced in a recent one hour primetime television special, Growing Hope Against Hunger, produced by Sesame Workshop with documentary films by Academy Award winning director and filmmaker Cynthia Wade.  The special program presented families’ personal stories to raise awareness of the widespread issue of hunger in the United States, as well as strategies that have helped these families find resources and grow stronger together.  All materials are also available online at sesamestreet.org/food.

Check it out!

Families facing food insecurity is a growing issue in the United States.  The United States Department of Agriculture estimates that 17 million American children — nearly 1 in 4 — have limited or uncertain access to affordable and nutritious food. Of these children, more than half (9.6 million) are under the age of 6.* In response, Sesame Workshop, the nonprofit organization behind Sesame Street, with funding and partnership from United HealthCare and the Merck Foundation, launched Food for Thought: Eating Well on a Budget in Fall 2010. The multimedia and bi-lingual (English and Spanish) Food for Thought resource kits, created by Sesame Workshop with the guidance from an Advisory Board, were developed to provide free resources in support of families with young children coping with uncertain or limited access to affordable and nutritious food.

* Nord, Mark, Margaret Andrews, and Steven Carlson. Household Food Security in the United States, 2008. ERR-83, U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, Econ. Res. Serv. November 2009.

Sponsors to date include SolarReserve, Solar Service Frothingham Communications, Makeitbetter.net and the Woman’s Club of Wilmette.

Please contact Go Green Wilmette if you would like to be a sponsor or exhibitor at the event.

For more information about Going Green Matters, visit www.goinggreenmatters.org.

Cracked Wheat and Raisins

2 rice cooker cups cracked wheat, rinsed
4 rice cooker cups water
¼ cup raisins
¼ cup chopped nuts (walnuts, almonds, pecans, etc.)
Honey and milk

Put the wheat and water in a rice cooker. Cover and press down “on” button. Button will “click” up to “warm” when done, about 20 minutes. Unplug cooker. If you don’t have a rice cooker, put 1 ½ cups wheat and 3 cups water in a saucepan. Bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer, cover, and cook until done or about 10 – 12 minutes.

Serve topped with raisins, nuts, a little honey and a splash of milk, if desired.

Garden Fresh Market
Isaac & Moishe’s Deli
North Shore School District 112
Sunset Foods

To help volunteer with this event or for more information, please contact Gina Gooden, gina.m.gooden@gmail.com.