Forward Magazine October 2021

C A M P U S D I N I N G M AG A Z I N E

Growing Hunger: The Fight for Food Security in America Join The Fight Helping Out in Honor of National Food Bank Week

Combating

Food Deserts: What They Are & How Can You Can Help

Celebrate

National Cooking Day with Banana Oatmeal Pancakes

Veganism Food Fad or Forever

OCT

2021

At Thompson Hospitality, our role stretches far beyond what we

do on campus, it also includes being connected to our surrounding communities and going the extra mile to care about the world around us. We recognize our responsibility to be servant leaders in our community and are grateful for the ability to give back to those in need. During October, we will focus on going the extra mile for our neighbors, having dialogues about important issues that impact our communities and create meaningful opportunities to give back.

Throughout the month, we will be placing an emphasis on the growing issues of food insecurity and food deserts throughout the country. Furthermore, we stress that the ability to have continuous access to nutritious and fulfilling meals is not as common as it may be perceived. As a dining services provider, we understand that we have the ability to make a significant impact in the fight against food insecurity in the United States.

Together we will be the change that we want to see in the world and will make a significant impact on the lives of others. Our ongoing efforts to serve the community will persist as we continue to develop our enhanced dining program.

Maurice P. Jenoure, Chief Operating Officer

Dina Zaikouk, Vice President of Operations

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Growing Hunger: The Fight for Food Security in America Food security is defined as having physical and financial access to food that satisfies all the necessary dietary needs.

According to the United States Agency for International Development, over 800 million people go to bed hungry every single night. Climate change is only worsening the matter. As the Earth becomes hotter, it gets harder to grow certain crops and ensure that they are regularly watered. Extreme weather has ravaged land that could have been used for agriculture. Many experts say that climate change, paired with the threat of overpopulation, could cause major problems for food security. So what can we do about it? This month, we want to shine a light on the fight for food security in the U.S. There are a lot of ways that you can create a difference on your campus and in your personal life.

Reduce Waste

Grow Your Own

Think Green

Based on statistics from Feeding America, a leading hunger-relief organization, 108 billion pounds of food is wasted each year in the United States. Put another way, that’s $161 billion worth of food being thrown out. Food waste doesn’t stop at the trash can; crops left out on the field, vegetables damaged during transportation and fruit that retailers turn away because of their appearance are all considered food waste. Reducing waste guarantees that food is going to as many people and as little landfills as possible. Food that would otherwise be wasted could be sent to food banks and pantries that provide for people in need.

Next time, save that leftover food from the dining hall for a later meal,

Houseplants are a dorm room musthave, but it’s even better when they’re edible! With a little bit of sunlight and fertilizer, you (and your roommate) can grow your own fruits, vegetables and herbs from your dorm room. From strawberries to basil, there are countless foods that can be successfully grown at home! Growing your own food has lots of added benefits than just reducing food waste. Growing food at home reduces your carbon footprint, cleans the air in your room, saves money and gives you tons of nutrients. The food you harvest can also be shared with family and friends to give everyone

Climate change threatens agricultural systems worldwide. Environmental toxins, including pollution and pesticides, are harmful to animals and could potentially be linked to numerous illnesses in humans.

Caring for the environment is a great way to take care of your food, too! Eating locally is a great way to start thinking green. When food is imported from other countries, the transportation methods do a lot of damage on the planet. Eating locally not only supports small businesses, but reduces the amount of carbon emissions released into the air. In addition to eating locally, recycling, saving water and electricity, carpooling and reusing containers are simple ways to care for the environment. By taking care of the planet, we can continue providing food for those in need.

and not for the trash.

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Join the Fight

Helping Out in Honor of National Food Bank Week During the third week of October, we celebrate National Food Bank Week to raise awareness on ways you can donate, volunteer and support food banks across the nation. Starting on the 21st and running through the 27th, we want to celebrate the great services that food banks provide. As the fight against hunger rages on, we want to emphasize the importance of food pantries, food banks and local drives that reduce regional hunger crises. Take the time to help out your local food bank by working, volunteering or donating. The fight against hunger depends on all of us, and this week is a great time to start investing in the wellbeing of others in the community.

Donate

When in doubt, there’s always room for donations! With over 200 food banks and thousands of pantries, the main product is always in high demand. Generally, food banks are in need of foods with a long shelf life or nonperishable items — that way, they will last during the journey from your pantry to another’s. Here are some things that food banks would appreciate: • Canned items • • Pasta • Rice • Peanut Butter • Saltine Crackers

Items that need refrigeration, expired foods, leftovers and baked goods are a few things that food banks advise against donating. Find a distribution center near you to donate today!

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Work There are a ton of career opportunities at local and national food bank organizations, and as the labor force regains it strength after the COVID-19 pandemic, they are more eager to hire than ever. National hunger relief organizations, like Feeding America, Meals on Wheels and the United States Agency for International Development, have openings in communications, finance, government relations and many more.

To make a difference in your own community, you can find employment at your local food bank.

For food banks that open to the public weekly, they need coordinators and managers to keep things running smoothly. You can secure a job that makes a true difference!

Volunteer There’s no doubt that college students have things to do and places to be. That’s why volunteering at local food banks may be the best way to fight hunger in the community. With hundreds of food banks located in small towns and sprawling cities, finding a way to volunteer has never been easier.

At the height of the pandemic, mobile pantries, drive-thru banks, no-contact distributions and delivery meals became much more popular. Volunteers are generally asked to help where there is the most need, so reach out to multiple banks to find the spot that is right for you.

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Combatting

Food Deserts

What They Are and How You Can Help What?

Food deserts, as defined by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, are “low-income tracts in which a substantial number or proportion of the population has low access to supermarkets or large grocery stores.” In simpler terms, food deserts are areas where getting to a grocery store with healthy options and affordable prices is a challenge. The specific characteristics vary between each desert, where transportation, socioeconomic status and demographics play a huge role.

Where?

Right now, there are about 6,500 food deserts in the U.S. Areas with a higher poverty rate, a higher minority population and little to no public transportation are more likely to become food deserts.

In addition to these findings by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, there is a positive correlation between southern states and the density of food deserts in that region.

Who?

Food deserts influence family dynamics in numerous ways. Without proper access to grocery stores, people who live in these areas are more likely to go to convenience stores with much fewer options.

The options that are available are generally less healthy, and do not contain nutritious fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Before encouraging others to eat healthier, we have to realize that some people don’t have the means to.

When?

The term “food desert” wasn’t coined until the late 1990s, but they’ve existed for much longer. From the founding of the colonies to the growth of our largest cities, there have always been some areas where access to quality food is not the same. Historically, food deserts have been present in communities of color, low-income communities, areas with low populations and rural regions.

How?

We can help eliminate food deserts. The first step is raising awareness — bringing up the topic at home or at work can shed light on the issue, leading to solutions to fix it. Advocating for more food banks, better transportation and donations to pantries in the area can also help those in immediate need.

Food deserts aren’t a new threat, but by using new methods, we can help eliminate hunger in these neighborhoods.

VEGANISM The term “vegan” was not coined until the mid-1900s, but some evidence of veganism has been dated to exist at the same time as Greek mathematician Pythagoras. Siddhārtha Gautama (Buddha) was also known to share vegetarian diets with his followers.In 1944, Donald Watson, a non-dairy vegetarian, met with a few of his peers to talk about the diets and lifestyles they led. It was at this meeting they settled on the term “vegan” to describe their non-dairy vegetarian lifestyle. A few years later, what would later be registered as The Vegan Society solidly defined the term as “the principle of the emancipation of animals from exploitation by man. ”According to the society, being vegan means “to seek an end to the use of animals by man for food, commodities, work, hunting, vivisection, and by all other uses involving exploitation of animal life by man.” The legacy of their lifestyle lives on today, but is it a fad? Modern vegans have put their own spin on the traditional way of living that’s grown rapidly in popularity. Strict vegans and lax vegans alike have basic foods that are essential to their diet, including: fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, beans and more. The “exploitation of animal life” refers to anything made or produced by animals. Typically, this includes meat, fish, eggs, dairy products, honey, mayonnaise and more.

Modern vegans have found a way to turn their favorites — comfort food, soul food, seafood — into vegan feasts.

A vegan lifestyle isn’t limited to food consumption. For example, products that tested on animals are a big no-no.

Animal-based testing harms the animals more often than not, and there are numerous products that proudly refuse to use them in testing. For medicine that requires testing on animals, many vegans will vie for another option. Many vegans avoid clothing that uses animal products like wool, cashmere, silk, leather and suede.

Companies that use animal products in clothing rarely acknowledge the importance of preventing animal cruelty, and strict vegans go out of their way to avoid buying it. Cotton, instead, is the vegan’s best friend, in addition to linen, polyester, spandex, denim and nylon. Vegans also choose their forms of entertainment wisely. Visiting zoos and aquariums is a form of animal exploitation. Zoos and aquariums have received increased pushback recently due to the inhumane treatment of animals they possess. Not only are they forced to live in an environment that is not their own, but they are historically subject to mistreatment. Horse racing, dog fighting and other forms of forced animal entertainment are also held in contempt.

Besides the things they avoid, there are a ton of benefits to adopting a vegan lifestyle. A vegan diet is rich in nutrients, and could bring about a loss of excess weight. There’s a lower rate of heart disease, high blood sugar and irregular kidney functions among those that are vegan. There’s even been studies that highlight the correlation between vegan diets and a lower likelihood of getting cancer. Based on their philosophy, vegans are much more attuned to the environment. A plant based lifestyle depends on a healthy environment for the Earth to produce the products we need. Veganism as a lifestyle — and not a fad— is a deep relationship between the Earth and the individual, creating a lasting impact.

Tailgate 10 Must-Haves for Homecoming Season

1. The Food

Wings, pizza, hot dogs, burgers — the food is what makes the tailgate the most exciting event besides the game. Even cauliflower wings are in right now. To keep it warm, be sure to get some pans and heating elements, too. Order your food ahead of the game, and make sure to order enough for everyone!

2. The Sides

A meal is nothing without its sides. From the potato salad to the baked beans, the sides offer a complete meal on what can sometimes be a really busy day. Carrots and ranch go great with wings, burgers need their fries, and hot dogs are nothing without some corn on the cob. Some sides are even good by themselves — yes, we’re talking about the mac n’ cheese.

3. The Utensils

The biggest mistake you can make is forgetting utensils. Plates, forks, knives, spoons, napkins and containers are essential to any tailgate. Nothing is worse than having to hold your food on a paper towel while oil starts to stick to your fingers. Have as many utensils on hand as you can.

4. The Drinks

There’s always at least one or two coolers at each tailgate, and inside, there has to be a good variety of drinks. Sodas are the go-to, but don’t forget to bring water bottles so that everyone stays hydrated. Be sure to have enough ice so that all the drinks are at least covered, or until it fills up at least half way.

5. The Tent and Chairs

All the tailgate-goers need a place to sit. Tents, chairs and other outdoor furniture can make the tailgate much more welcoming. Check to see if your school has lawn furniture with your school’s logo!

6. The Snacks

When the tailgate starts early on, waiting for the game can seem like forever. When the leftovers are all wrapped up, it’s time to pull out the snacks. Grab as many chips, cookies, popcorn and candy as you can. Snacking is a great way to (hopefully) help the time pass a little faster.

7. The Gear

As game time approaches, make sure you got your spirit wear together. Pull out the jerseys, the hats, the shirts and the cup holders. It’s always great to rep your team on game day, and you can even set up a competition: The Most Spirit!

8. The Music

Pull out the speakers and crank them up because every tailgate needs some music! Whether it’s line dance favorites, like the Cha Cha Slide, or some hype music from Drake, there’s nothing like music to make a good time a great time!

9. The Dessert

Once the food is all gone and the snacks are running out, it’s a good time to bring out dessert.

Instead of getting something heavy — we don’t want you running to the bathroom during the game — get smaller desserts that can be shared easily. Brownie bites, cookies and ice cream cups are good ideas for quick treats.

10. The Games

Tailgate games are great with friends, like the legendary corn hole or simply passing a football around. At lots of tailgates, someone agrees to bring their TV so that they can play video games.

Some even stream the football game from their television, never leaving the parking lot and enjoying the game with their friends. However you play, make sure to bring it out! + forward magazine

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OCT.. 2021 Chef Talk The Art of Food Activism: Fighting Food Insecurity on Campus Chef Talk: The Art of Surviving: Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Make it Memorable Living The Luxe Life: How To Make Your Frappe In Your Dorm

TH Teaches How To Make Seafood Egg Rolls in honor of National Seafood Month

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Product of the month

Oral-B Toothbrush

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DINING

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EVENTS

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The Good Fight - Food Insecurity Challange

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Marketing Contacts Cindy Horstman, Regional Marketing Director envelope chorstman@thompsonhospitality.com phone (804) 640–4136 Daniela-Gabrielle Smallwood, Regional Marketing Director envelope daniela.smallwood@thompsonhospitality.com phone (571) 444–7430