Throw a Party for Food Day

Here’s a great reason to throw a party. On October 24th, chefs, food banks, schools, farmers' markets and food-lovers across America will observe Food Day opens in a new tab, a national day of awareness-raising and fund-raising to promote healthy eating and affordable, accessible food. We encourage and challenge YOU to take the lead and host a fundraising party for your local food bank or a food-related charity that you believe in. We’ve partnered with the Food Day initiative and Epicurious to make it easy, rewarding and fun to host a Food Day event opens in a new tab.

Food Day is centered on 6 basic principles opens in a new tab:

1. Reduce diet-related disease by promoting safe, healthy foods

2. Support sustainable farms & limit subsidies to big agribusiness

3. Expand access to food and alleviate hunger

4. Protect the environment and animals by reforming factory farms

5. Promote health by curbing junk-food marketing to kids

6. Support fair conditions for food and farm workers

Sponsored by the Center for Science in the Public Interest, the nonprofit watchdog group that has led successful fights for food labeling, better nutrition and safer food since 1971, Food Day is people-powered and does not accept funding from government or corporations — though restaurants, supermarkets and others are encouraged to observe Food Day in their own ways. But the most important ingredient in Food Day is you — and we invite you to organize an event and help make Food Day a success.

Check out these region-specific seasonal menus opens in a new tab, choose a charitable cause to support (here’s a food bank locator opens in a new tab) and send out your invites! We partnered with Epicurious to provide this free, downloadable Food Day Dinner Party Kit opens in a new tab, which contains great ideas for planning any party big or small, plus conversation starters, recipes and even pumpkin-carving stencils.

Also, Epicurious is hosting a Facebook contest opens in a new tab where you can submit a photo and description of your Food Day event for a chance to win a matching donation (up to $1000) for the food-related charity of your choice.Aren’t quite up to hosting your own event? Visit Food Day opens in a new tab to find out about events happening across the country and find one close to you.Which of the six Food Day principles means the most to you? What will you be doing on October 24^th, the first annual Food Day?