More good news coming our way from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation: The Milwaukee Public Schools system is making efforts to improve the nutritional quality of the meals it offers, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports. The school system has partnered with the national nonprofit Growing Power, Inc., to incorporate more vegetables into the district's snack program and improve the nutritional quality of the schools' lunches and vending machine options. Individual schools are also working with local farmers...

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Check out the latest news, featured on the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation's website: Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.) and Sen. Tom Harkin (D-Iowa) have introduced the Menu Education and Labeling (MEAL) Act, which would require fast-food restaurants to post the calorie content of menu items, along with other nutrition information, on menu boards, the Los Angeles Times reports. Specifically, the MEAL Act would mandate that fast-food and other chain restaurants print the fat, calorie, carbohydrate and...

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Here's another cool program changing thr face of school food.  This one is based in Washington state, and is about more than just school food.  The Experience Food Project, or EFP, is working at schools and at the communtiy level too.  EFP's mission is to provide quality programs and authentic food experiences that create healthy communities and sustainable food systems. The work EFP is doing in schools includes its Chef in the Classroom program, Edible School...

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Did you know that Michelle Obama is working with a local elementary school in Washington, DC to plant an organic garden on the lawn of the White House?  It's been in the news a bit over the last month or so, you may have seen it. The First Lady, White House Horticulturist Dale Haney, and students from Bancroft Elementary School broke ground on the garden on March 20, 2009, and on April 9, 2009 the students...

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It's official!  Catalyst is starting a book club.  We figured Oprah's doing it, so why not Catalyst?  And Catalyst members seem to agree - thanks for the encouragement friends! If you're ready for some fun summer reading, then this is the place to start.  Our first book will be "The Omnivore's Dilemma" by Michael Pollan.  You can find it at your local library, books stores, and amazon.com starting at $7.49 (used). I've read through page...

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Check out this amazing youth-led effort in Massachusetts!  If you've been following the Catalyst blog today, you'll notice some connections.  We have been reading up on the Youth Food Movement (a network of yout activists across the US supporting local food and sustainable agriculture), and Terra Madre (a global network focusing on these important food issues too).  Well, Project Sprout leaders are members of the Youth Food Network, and Sam Levin, a Project Sprout founder,...

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Like our post about the Youth Food Movement?  Then check out Terra Madre, and international network of farmers, students, researchers, chefs, fishermen, academics, and more - all working to support local food systems and traditions - their goals is to preserve, encourage, and support sustainable food production methods. And just as exciting, Terra Madre is all about supporting youth leadership within this movement.  At their last conference - in October 2008 in Turin, italy -...

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You can check out the Youth Food Movement at www.youthfoodmovement.org and on facebook. This network of youth activists focus on bringing good, clean, and fair food to their communities.  You can check out what they mean by that on their website - and to give you a "taste" of what they're all about, here's some of the stuff they are working on: Starting farms based on traditional methods and sustainable practices Demanding food justice and...

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Catalyst is on the Real Food Challenge list serve and we just got an link to the trailer for a new documentary, Food, Inc.  We thought you might want to check it out too - it looks like they will be covering some interesting stuff - looking at local food systems, the food industry, and all kinds of issues around healthy eating and nutrition.  They also have a pretty cool website, with links to all...

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It is that time of year again!  Catalyst is looking for new Youth Board Members!  WHA’TS UP WITH THE CATALYST YOUTH BOARD?The Catalyst Youth Board is leading this movement!  Youth Board members help plan the Catalyst summit, other fun events, and travel the state with Catalyst staff to help present workshops and trainings.Bottom line, the Youth Board is a big deal! It’s a great opportunity, but it is also a commitment.  Here’s an idea of...

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