As Les Dames d'Escoffier
International (LDEI) reaches it 20th
Anniversary, we embrace civic
agriculture as a focus for our
philanthropy. For this initiative each
chapter is involving members in a
hands-on activity. The goal is to draw
on our members' diverse culinary and
hospitality skills, experience and
resources across our 25 chapters to
enhance the capacity of existing grass
roots civic agriculture efforts in
chapter communities to:
To fulfill this mission, LDEI
chapters can engage in a variety of
community-based food, gardening and
agricultural activities that encompass
the following:
Grow-Cook-Share
- inner city growing projects that
transform an urban corner or
schoolyard into a cornucopia of
food. This track involves teaching
gardening, fresh food preparation
and nutrition.
Rehabilitative Gardening
- growing projects engaging
individuals on probation or youth
who attend court-ordered programs.
In addition to teaching gardening,
fresh food preparation and
nutrition, this track has the
potential to prepare participants
for employment.
Farm-to-Restaurant
- promotional projects which connect
restaurants with local growers,
encouraging actual wholesale
distribution of more farm fresh
ingredients to local restaurants,
caterers,etc. This track can include
local editorial efforts, special
events or even distribution schemes.
Garden/Farm-to-Market
- professional skills-sharing
projects for gardeners and farmers
to develop or enhance their food
business. This track involves
assistance with food marketing, PR,
product development (e.g.
sauces,relish) packaging, etc. These
efforts could culminate in a tasting
event.
Farm-to-School -
health promotion projects for
schools which help develop: 1)
recipes for healthier menu items 2)
farm to cafeteria effort to increase
amount of fresh produce available in
school lunch 3) basic
nutrition/culinary lessons, and 4)
healthier vending options, etc.
