Acre Gourmet

GMO Labeling is moving forward!

kristentruchinski — Mon, 18 Mar 2013 16:38:13 +0000

The retailer, Whole Foods, is going to label all products containing GMO’s (Genetically Modified Organisms) by the year 2018. This monumental move is likely going to change the food industry in the US.

Read Article Here

We were let down when prop 37 didn’t pass in California, but this will be a huge push in that direction. Whole Foods said that the move was made in response to customer demand and I’m glad that they heard what nearly half of us said last November.

Winter Greens Tasting

kristentruchinski — Thu, 14 Mar 2013 16:19:24 +0000

A few weeks ago we hosted a winter greens tasting for all of our schools so showcase the beauty of some more unusual “greens” that we have available to us in the winter.

Kale Chips!

The list included a favorite, like kale chips, and two more lesser-knowns: radicchio and mizuna. Many of the students recognized the mizuna from the winter mix in the salad bar and most were pretty apprehensive about radicchio’s bright purply red color. Overall these were fun days! We found many students who consider kale chips to be “so yummy” and were pleasantly surprised… maybe they’ll make it into the snack rotation…

Obesity Rate Declining?

kristentruchinski — Fri, 22 Feb 2013 18:35:39 +0000

The New York Times this week had an article that provided a glimmer of hope for those of us terrified by the childhood obesity rate in the US. It shows that the number of calories taken in, on average, by children in the US has dropped by a slight margin in the past couple of years.

This is great news and can be used as a ray of hope in the messy storm that we call a food system in our country. Of course, much more than calorie counting is needed to assess the diet and health of our compatriots such as processed foods, artificial ingredients, and sugar. Sugar, according to recent studies, seems to be the culprit for many of our health problems as it is commonly added in different forms to processed foods and has even inspired controversial legislation in the last round of elections.

At Acre Gourmet we are still happily munching on fresh foods straight from the fields and slow cooking dinner to the delight of our bodies and minds.

Town School 8th Grade Dinner

kristentruchinski — Fri, 08 Feb 2013 19:43:52 +0000

The 8th grade boys celebrated the beginning of a transition from their long-time home of Town School out to the world of high school. Here are some fun pictures from the evening – we enjoyed the jump into dinner service – a fun change from school lunch!

Tables were set!

Mini Chocolate Cakes with Pomegranate

Marin Sun Farms Steak with Balsamic BBQ, Fried Shallots, Creamy Potatoes & Roasted Rainbow Cauliflower

COBA Conference

kristentruchinski — Fri, 08 Feb 2013 19:12:46 +0000

Acre Gourmet is happy to participate in the 2nd annual Childhood Obesity Bay Area Conference this month.

This dynamic conference brings together some of the Bay Area’s most innovative businesses and health professionals to make changes in our children’s health. This issue couldn’t be more important to us and we’re excited to see so much rapt attention and passion behind the movement in our own backyard.

Food Corps

kristentruchinski — Fri, 08 Feb 2013 19:06:40 +0000

Food Corps is recruiting service members for next year!

This is a national organization that is supported by AmeriCorps and the Kellog Foundation. It provides nutritional education and farm to school advocacy and programs in schools that are within under-served communities. They started in 2009 and have been highly successful in raising awareness around food access issues, childhood obesity as well as making an impact in attacking these issues in our country’s community.

Arkansas Food Corps Group

Slow Food USA was one of the original voices in crafting this project and we’re happy to know they’re out there making a difference. As a former AmeriCorps member, I know the joy and learning that takes place in service to your community.

Food Labeling had a disappointing outcome

kristentruchinski — Tue, 20 Nov 2012 19:11:17 +0000

Mark Bittman relates some sad food news to us in light of other political outcomes in the most recent ballot casting.

Happy Thanksgiving

kristentruchinski — Tue, 20 Nov 2012 00:57:09 +0000

Thanksgiving is a time of year for everyone of every ethnic background and religion to join together and celebrate the things that bind us. We are able to reflect upon what we’re thankful for and the bounty that we have here in the United States. This is a holiday that we really enjoy at Acre Gourmet as it is a time to truly celebrate the bounty of the harvest season and celebrate within our chosen communities.

Here was our Thanksgiving Menu last week at all schools:

Free Range Roasted Turkey Breast
Granny Smith Apple and Leek Stufing
Yukon Gold Mashed Potatoes
Leek and Mushroom Gravy
Broccoli
Spiced Cranberry Sauce
Pumpkin Pie with Whipped Cream

I hope that your’s is as wonderful as our was at school!

Breakfast at Acre Coffee

kristentruchinski — Fri, 16 Nov 2012 17:01:36 +0000

We’re making warm things for you on these cold, rainy days. Check out our new thick sliced toast at Acre Coffee

Brioche with Cinnamon Sugar and a Latte

And these Hazelnut Biscotti are out of this world delicious

Herbal Tea with Hazelnut Biscotti

Squash Tasting

kristentruchinski — Mon, 05 Nov 2012 16:53:42 +0000

We often host food “tastings” for the students in our schools so that they are able to compare varietals of different foods side by side. This is always informative and super fun! Sometimes, though, the chefs have got to get together and do this too to keep themselves abreast of flavors, textures, and cooking variables. Last week we had a chefs-only squash tasting that was so much fun! Most of us agreed that the blue kuri was our favorite, but some others came in close 2nd like the red kuri and long island cheese.

An assortment of the uncooked and the roasted squashes