The House passed an emergency relief package.

On Saturday, The House passed an emergency relief package to help address the effects of the Coronavirus, both to minimize the spread of the virus and to help deal with the financial ramifications of closing down almost Everything! They are still waiting for the Senate to pass it. 

Here’s what’s in the package;

• Paid sick leave for some workers, but millions of hourly workers aren’t included
• Free coronavirus testing for all, including the uninsured.
• Increases the funding for food assistance programs.
• Offers emergency grants to states to assist with processing and paying unemployment insurance.

SCHOOLS STEP UP TO THE PLATE TO CONTINUE FEEDING KIDS BREAKFAST AND LUNCH!

Most schools are still finding ways to get free breakfast and lunch to those kids who depend on the meals. I’m heading off to Glen Cove High School now, to prepare some food for the students. Some restaurants have even joined the mission! In times like these, it is heartwarming to see the good in humanity, SHINE THROUGH!

FREE VEGAN LUNCHES FOR KIDS

Five of the vegan restaurants that are part of the DeRossi Global group in the East Village of Manhattan will be offering free meals for kids starting Tuesday, March 17th, between the hours of Noon to 2 pm. 

Owner Ravi DeRossi and his staff are very concerned about children’s access to food and they want to support the local community by providing meals to public school students who live in the neighborhood.

They encourage children to come and pick up lunch. The team asks that families not travel on public transportation, which increases risk to everyone, but if it’s the only way you can get there they understand.

The meals are especially made for this purpose and each restaurant will feature one set meal. If your child has allergies or special dietary needs and can not eat what is available at one restaurant, they will send you to another restaurant that has a meal your child should be able to eat. Because all the restaurants are within a block of each other, and three of them are side by side, this should be pretty easy.

Please note that meals are only being given to children, so you must bring your child(ren) with you. Meals will not be given to adults who say their kids are at home. Also please note that the restaurants will not be able to take telephone calls about this. Children and teens old enough to be out on their own may come to receive a meal without their parent. All meals are “to go”.

Again, all the restaurants are within a block of each other and they include:

Avant Garden – 130 East 7th St. 

Honeybee’s – 95 Avenue A, floor 2

Ladybird – 111 East 7th St.

Mother of Pearl – 95 Avenue A

Night Music – 111 East 7th St.

A BIG shout out to the DeRossi Global Group for caring for their community in this special way!

Weather Conditions Can Affect the Make-up of Some Common Foods

I had no idea that the chemical make-up of some common foods can be significantly affected by things such as drought and preparation. Check out this article on Climate Change and how it affects Cassava, which is a staple food for more than 500 million people who live in Africa. It turns out that Cassava is naturally high in the toxin, hydrogen cyanide, which can cause Konzo, a neurological disease that causes stiff joints and rigid knees, and can lead to paralysis. Under normal conditions, this toxin is washed out during the preparation with water. However, during a drought, people have to make a choice between going hungry or following these preparations. At also turns out that the concentration of hydrogen cyanide gets stronger and makes the plant more dangerous to eat if there has been a lack of rain. Other foods are also affected by climate change, such as apples, barley, millet and cherries.

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