First Lady Michelle Obama and Epicurious Host Second Recipe

First Lady Michelle Obama and Epicurious Host Second Recipe Challenge to Promote Healthy Eating Nationwide "The Healthy Lunchtime Challenge" Welcomes Children and Their Parents to Create Healthy Lunch Recipes for an Invite to a Kids' "State Dinner" at the White House New York, NY, April 3, 2013 - With the overwhelming success of the inaugural Healthy Lunchtime Challenge & Kids' "State Dinner" in 2012, First Lady Michelle Obama is again teaming up with Epicurious, the U.S. Department of Education, and the Department of Agriculture to host a nationwide recipe challenge to promote healthy eating among America's youth. "Last year's Kids State dinner was one of my favorite events we've ever done for Let's Move! because it perfectly captured how young people, parents, community leaders and businesses can come together for innovative, healthy solutions," said First Lady Michelle Obama. "Last year's young chefs impressed and inspired me with their creativity, and I can't wait to welcome a whole new group to the White House this summer and taste their creations. So kids, let's get cooking!" The second Healthy Lunchtime Challenge & Kids' "State Dinner" invites parents or guardians and their children, ages 8-12, to create and submit an original lunch recipe that is healthy, affordable, and tasty. In support of Let's Move!, launched by the First Lady to solve the issue of childhood obesity, each recipe must adhere to the guidance that supports USDA's MyPlate (at ChooseMyPlate.gov) to ensure that the criteria of a healthy meal are met. Entries must represent each of the food groups, either in one dish or as parts of a lunch meal, including fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins and low-fat dairy foods, with fruits and veggies making up roughly half the plate or recipe. All U.S. states and territories, including Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the Northern Mariana Islands, are invited to participate. Fifty-six children and their parent/guardian (one pair from each of the 50 states, plus the U.S. Territories, D.C., and Puerto Rico) will be flown to the nation's capital where they will have the opportunity to attend a Kids' "State Dinner" at the White House this summer, hosted by Mrs. Obama. A selection of the winning healthy recipes will be served. "In order to promote a healthier next generation of Americans, we need to encourage kids to make healthier choices now - which they can carry into adulthood," said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. "USDA is thrilled to be part of the Healthy Lunchtime Challenge again this year because it inspires kids to use USDA's MyPlate to take a hands-on approach to building healthier meal times." "We know healthy kids are healthy students, and healthy students are better able to engage in the classroom and excel academically," said U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan. "If we can get our children to eat healthier and exercise more, that's a recipe for success. Kids are the best judges of what looks and tastes good, so we're challenging them to create lunches that all their peers will enjoy." "We are thrilled to once again partner with Mrs. Obama, and to champion her Let's Move! initiative, in an effort to raise awareness for the importance of healthy eating among kids," said Tanya Steel, editor-in-chief of Epicurious. "Through 'The Healthy Lunchtime Challenge,' we will, for the second year, create a call to action for kids, highlighting the importance of healthy meals. This initiative will continue to make a positive impact on the way our children eat, and will reinforce that meals, especially school lunches, can be delicious and nutritious." The winning recipes will be chosen by a panel of judges, including Tanya Steel, Let's Move! Executive Director Sam Kass, USDA and U.S. Department of Education representatives, as well as a celebrity chef, to be named. At the conclusion of the Challenge, a free, downloadable and printable e-cookbook featuring the winning recipes, nutritional analysis, photos and drawings, will be available via LetsMove.gov, USDA.gov, Ed.gov and recipechallenge.epicurious.com. The White House Kids' "State Dinner" is currently scheduled to take place in July or August 2013. Recipes can be submitted April 3 through May 12, online at recipechallenge.epicurious.com, or via mail at "The Healthy Lunchtime Challenge c/o Epicurious.com," 1166 Avenue of the Americas, 15th Floor, New York, NY 10036. Winners will be notified at the end of June. For more information and contest rules visit recipechallenge.epicurious.com.

Testimony needed : Oppose HB252, SD1 – Spread the word urgently!

Testimony needed : Oppose HB252, SD1 – Spread the word urgently! To those concerned about land use planning and geothermal permitting, and violation of fair, open procedures in the public process of legislating.HB 252 SD1 was originally an unrelated bill about Hawaiian Roll Commission. At the last committee for this bill ( Tourism and Hawaiian Affairs), Language was inserted at last minute, (basically all of HB932) which was rejected by 2 subject matter committees.This insertion was without any public notice!!! No opportunity to provide testimony. Subject matter committees were bypassed.Inserted language redefines geothermal, streamlines permitting process, provides for a “Special Land and Development” fund, and opens up all land use designation for geo development. Next stop is a floor vote on Thursday by ALL senators. We need testimony to EACH senator calling this an outrage, on the level of the PLDC subversion of due process. Please address to each Senator individually (when they see “ ALLSENATORS” it has much less impact). Mahalo, Senator Russell E Ruderman Hawaii State Senate senruderman@capitol.hawaii.gov 808-586-6890 Toll free from the Big Island (808) 974-4000 ext. 6-6890 415 S. Beretania St. Room 217 Honolulu, Hawaii 96813

The Straight Poop on Sustainable Farming

http://youtu.be/C_MRYSA5q1E

The Straight Poop on Sustainable Farming

2013 Value-Added Agricultural Product Manufacturing Grant

Agribusiness Incubator Program 2013 Value-Added Agricultural Product Manufacturing Grant Application Deadline: May 3, 2013, 4:00 p.m. Contact Information: Agribusiness Incubator Program Email: agincubator@ctahr.hawaii.edu Telephone: 808-956-3530 Fax: 808-956-3547 Need: Many of Hawaii’s agricultural producers would be able to enhance the viability of their operations by producing value-added agricultural products (typically processed food). However, new potential food processors and manufacturers in Hawaii face considerable obstacles due to the lack of contract manufacturing capacity in the state combined with the high cost of transportation. The option for those desiring to produce processed food products is typically to begin manufacturing themselves on a small scale, which requires expertise and capital that they often do not possess. Objective/Funding: To assist existing or potential food manufacturers, especially those of value-added agricultural products, with equipment and guidance that will facilitate startup/growth. Approximately $27,000 will be awarded across one or more applicants for the purchase of equipment and/or services detailed in their proposal(s). Eligibility: Hawaii-based companies that manufacture, or intend to manufacture, products containing Hawaii-grown agricultural products. Proposal Process and Requirements: Applicants will develop a proposal using the template supplied below. Proposal shall use 12-point font, have 1” margins, and not exceed 4 pages. Proposal will be submitted via email to the address listed above by the deadline listed above. Proposals meeting the above requirements will be reviewed by AIP and scored by the Evaluation Criteria below. AIP may, at their discretion, communicate with applicants to seek clarification on any portion of the applications. Applicants whose proposals are not selected for funding will be notified by e-mail by 5/24/2013. Applicants whose proposals are selected for funding (awardees) will be notified by e-mail by 5/24/2013, and schedule an initial meeting with AIP by 6/7/2013. AIP will work with awardees to develop mini-business plans and procure proposed equipment/services by 8/2/2013. Awardees will supply progress and impact information to AIP relevant to the proposed project by 11/1/2013. Proposal Evaluation Criteria: Potential impact of project on company’s growth – 40% The likelihood and degree to which successful implementation of the project (e.g., purchase and use of proposed equipment) will allow the company to grow. Examples include but are not limited to increasing revenue, reducing costs, and launching product(s). Potential impact of project on Hawaii agriculture – 20% The likelihood and degree to which successful implementation of the project will support and/or increase production of Hawaii agriculture and the viability/success of Hawaii agribusiness(es). Proposed approach – 20% The soundness of the proposed approach, including objectives, timetables, budgets, methodology, and expected outcomes. Relative value of funding – 20% The amount of the requested funds relative to the potential impacts and relative to the amount of matching funds by the applicant (matching not required). Proposal Template: See following 4 pages. Agribusiness Incubator Program 2013 Value-Added Agricultural Product Manufacturing Grant Proposed Project Title: _______________________________________________ Applicant Information Your Name: ________________________________________________________________ Company Name: ____________________________________________________________ Company Address: __________________________________________________________ Primary Phone: ______________ Email:_______________________________________ Website (if any): ____________________________________________________________ Amount Requested: __________________________ Cash Match: ___________________ Narrative Company/owner background Project objective, including planned products and operations Expected impact on Hawaii agriculture Specific plan to achieve objective, including marketing as applicable Permits Will any part of your project require a Federal, State or county permit? If so, what actions you have taken to obtain the required permit(s), and how much time you think the process will take. Are you Food Safety Certified? If not, and you are producing a commercial food product, what is your plan to become certified? Timeline/Budget Please describe each major activity to implement the described project and the estimated cost of that activity, and indicate when it will be started and completed. If you think your project may continue beyond the end of the year, please explain. Activity Cost to Company Cost to Grant Timeframe Example: Purchase SuperMixer model XW-12 and ship to Hawaii $100 $1000 8/2013 – 9/2013 Example: Harvest berries $0 $0 9/2013 – 9/2013 Example: Advertise in Yummy Honolulu $500 $0 11/2013-11/2013 Total “Cash Match” $ $ Total “Amount Requested” Revenue and Expense Last Year (or attach Tax Return or accounting system Income Statement) This year (projected) Next year (projected) Notes Revenue Product/service 1 (specify) Product/service 2 (specify) Other revenue 1 (specify) Other revenue 2 (specify) Total Revenue Expenses Sales and marketing Research and development Wages and salaries Outside services Supplies Rent Equipment Repairs and maintenance Utilities and communication Insurance Travel Taxes Other expense 1 (specify) Other expense 2 (specify) Other expense 3 (specify) Other expense 4 (specify) Other expense 5 (specify) Other expense 6 (specify) Other expense 7 (specify) Other expense 8 (specify) Other expense 9 (specify) Other expense 10 (specify) Total Expenses Net Profit I certify that the information on this application is accurate to the best of my knowledge and that details may be audited for verification. _________________________ ____________________________ ______________ Printed Name Signature Date

Peoples Garden of the Hawaiian Nation at Kamehameha Statue in Hilo

Organic 101: Almost 25,000 Certified Operations at Your Fingertips

Organic 101: Almost 25,000 Certified Operations at Your Fingertips