Obama's Team added a Citizens Briefing Book to their Change.gov site where one can offer opinions/suggestions on various issues, and people can vote by giving the idea a thumbs up or down.
I entered the issue about the UN Climate Change Report and Animal Agriculture and the request that we move to more plant-based agriculture, Would you like to vote on my suggestion? The url is here:
http://citizensbriefingbook.change.gov/ideas/viewIdea.apexp?id=087800000004skk
In addition, If you submit an issue, please let us know by commenting on this blog post with the url where we can vote!

B&G Foods® of Parsippany, New Jersey is a proud corporate sponsor of The Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee, donating a yearly supply of Grandma's Molasses®, which is added to the elephants' oats and barley.  Grandma's Molasses will be promoting the Elephant Sanctuary with special on-pack messages as well as featuring an "Elephant of the Month" on their website.   Grandma's will also encourage consumers to submit their favorite molasses recipes and elephant stories. Here is an opportunity for Gratitude Gourmet readers to submit their vegan recipes! "We are very excited about our continued involvement with The Elephant Sanctuary," notes Dina Dubey, Marketing Director for Grandma's Molasses. For information, visit grandmasmolasses.com or email at info@bgfoods.com.

This announcement ushers in a new era in California agriculture policy.  The committee, which historically focused on issues of food production, will now expand its jurisdiction and look more broadly at issues related to sustainability, as well as animal welfare reforms.  This committee will have the opportunity to look at issues including:  Sustainable Farming, Animal Welfare, and Food Security.
A website was also launched in conjunction with the announcement to provide information on the change and encourage public input in policy discussions at www.californiasafefood.com.  Please log on and provide them with your opinion on the poll, message board, and email the Committee directly (select the 'Get Engaged' tab).

MyFarm delivers fresh, organic vegetables to your door in San Francisco via their weekly CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) program. The nourishing vegetables originate from a nearby backyard, support local green jobs, and most importantly help out our earth by significantly reducing our carbon footprint. They offer two sizes: Full Box $35 per week (Good for two friends or small family) and Half Box $25 per week (Good for one person). MyFarm has graciously given Gratitude Gourmet readers a discount.
Enter the discount code "grateful4food" to receive one free week of vegetables($35 value) when you sign up for a season(13 weeks) of vegetables.  See the MyFarm Website for more information.
Photo Credit: MyFarm

The February '09 Prevention edition has an interesting article about white superfoods and their nutritional benefits.  Most of us have been focusing on dark-green leafy vegetables in our diets.  Per this recent article, white vegetables, beans, and nuts such as turnips, cauliflower, parsnips, and pine nuts can lower risks of high blood pressure, heart attack, and more. Did you know that one cup of cauliflower contains 20% of your daily requirement of bone-building Vitamin K? See the article for more details.

Cay Snow, a photographer and Madison's mother, has raised her children vegan.  Not only are her children vegan,  they have been activists by raising over $900 by participating in Farm Sanctuary’s annual Walk for Farm Animals.
Madison, Age 5, says: “If you have a pet like a dog or a cat and you love them, then you would love pigs and goats and cows just as much if you got to know them....Most kids don’t know where their dinner comes from....If all the kids in the world ate vegan hotdogs and vegan bologna sandwiches, that would save a lot of animals. Be kind to animals, and don’t eat them!”  Madison and Cay, you are both an inspiration!
You can help save animals by voting for vegan school lunch options on Obama's Change.Org website.  Require the USDA to facilitate healthful plant-based school lunch options as a means of promoting public health, environmental quality, and animal rights. Please Vote on the Change.Org Website.

The National Association for the Specialty Food Trade’s Fancy Food Shows® are the premier marketplace for specialty foods where retailers, restaurateurs, distributors and others discover innovative, new food and beverage products, including specialty gourmet, ethnic, natural and organic foods, and snacks. Some of the best known global brands were launched at The Fancy Food Shows.  This is an opportunity to feature your vegetarian or vegan product! See the website for more information.

Are you a savvy retailer interested in the latest consumer trends? The San Francisco International Gift Fair will now feature a Green by Design showcase to preview many eco-chic products offered at the show: clay pottery, recycled glass, lamps, organic spa and bath products, wooden frames, napkin rings and coasters, hemp merchandise and more.  See the website for more information and registration details.