Perhaps you’ve never heard the name (I hadn’t), but author and activist Joan Dye Gussow has been growing and advocating organic food since the 1950s. Her suburban-homesteader ethic is the subject of her book This Organic Life, and she created a Nutritional Ecology course at Columbia’s Teachers College, where she was a professor of nutrition for years.

Just Food is worth your charity dollars–they do remarkable work in New York City, uniting local small farmers with communities in so-called “food deserts,” which lack access to fresh, healthy food. A delicious win-win!

What: The Joan Dye Gussow Gala to support Just Food. Featuring guests Michael Pollan, Brian Halweil, Dan Barber & Peter Hoffman. Cocktails and lots of New York food after the speeches!

When: Sunday April 25, 2010

7:00 PM

Where: Sotheby’s

1334 York Avenue, New York

Tickets are $175 and up. Click here to purchase or email justfood@dalzell.com

31st annual Food Fare to support Planned Parenthood Los Angeles which provides vital health care and education services for over 196,000 people. The event began in 1979 with a cooking demonstration by Julia Child! Here are the details:

What

Over 150 of the city’s best restaurants, caterers, wineries, florists, vendors and entertainers will be in attendance. Sample from highly acclaimed restaurants such as Anisette, A.O.C., Border Grill/Cuidad, Lucques, Michaels, alongside L.A. classic and Food Fare regular Pink’s Hot Dogs, plus many others. There is also a Silent Auction with vacation packages, sporting and entertainment event tickets, fine art from local artists, gift certificates from L.A.’s best restaurants, and unique only-in-Los Angeles opportunities. A VIP reception will take place before the evening session with a cooking demonstration by Alain Giraud.

Last year’s Food Fare 2009 drew more than 1,200 people and raised over $450,000 for Planned Parenthood Los Angeles. Food Fare is produced by the Planned Parenthood Los Angeles Guild, a group of over 200 women who are dedicated to providing financial and volunteer support for PPLA. Since the group’s inception almost 30 years ago, the Guild has raised over $7.2 million.

When

March 11, 2010

Daytime session (10:30 a.m. -2:00 p.m.) and evening session (6:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.)

Where

Santa Monica Civic Auditorium, 1855 Main St., Santa Monica, CA

Tickets

$125 for daytime session, $150 for evening

Available online at www.pplafoodfare.com or by calling 213-284-3316.

First, did you know that six saxophonists play on “Savoy Truffle”? That’s just decadent. Anyway, on July 13, a record store near me called Sound Fix will be holding their monthly mix tape/CD exchange, this time with a food theme! I plan to go, mix in hand…For the Spooning launch party, I had asked my friend to DJ food songs, and I was so excited to hear what he came up with. He took it in a more abstract direction, and played songs that he said “made him think of food.” I’m still not sure what he meant, but the music worked perfectly. So, this is my chance to make a Spooning soundtrack. Loyal readers, send me your suggestions!! I’m stuck at The Beatles tune, as I just can’t subject anyone to Warrant…