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The second annual Food Day is this Wednesday. Thousands of events are taking place around the country to help celebrate healthy, affordable and sustainable food. Here are some fun ways folks are celebrating and ideas on how you can celebrate Food Day in your neck of the woods.

About Food Day
Food Day takes place on October 24th each year. Food movement leaders, organizations, nutrition professionals, labor leaders, environmentalists, farmers, chefs, authors, cookbook writers, parents, kids and teachers have come together to unite their belief in a better food system. Food Day aims to fulfill six goals, which you can read about in a post I wrote about Food Day last year.

Events celebrating Food Day have been organized nationwide, but you can also create a local event at your school or library or at home with family and friends.

Nationwide Events

Eatright DC: Public Policy Reception
Location: Washington, D.C.

The District of Columbia Metro Area Dietetic Association (DCMADA) is hosting a meet and greet reception to promote health and nutrition and the work of registered dietitians in Washington, DC.

Workout Wednesdays for Kids
Location: Boston, MA

Throughout the month of October, Shaw’s supermarket will be hosting Workout Wednesdays in partnership with Boston Moves for Health and the Fuel Up to Play 60 program, one of which will be held on Food Day. The events involve a 90 minute session with Boston Public School kids where a class will visit one of their stores and take part in a 30 minute fitness activity, followed by a brief healthy eating tour and ending with a make-your-own yogurt sundae bar.

Food Day Tailgate and 5K Fun Run
Location: Jackson, MS

Get fit and eat well with a movie marathon, grill out and 5k fun run on October 27. There’s a $1 entry fee for the fun run, which will help buy more equipment for the free community fitness center.

Celebration of National Food Day
Location: White Plains, NY

In my county, Blythdale Children’s Hospital ran a Food Day event on Sunday October 21st to help teach families how to lead a healthy lifestyle with diet and exercise. Representatives from the area provided cooking demos, tips on cooking budget-friendly family meals, and a local gym taught kids some rocking Zumba moves. Although this was a free event, each family was asked to bring a non-perishable item to be donated to the local food pantry.

Find more Food Day events in your area.

Plan Your Own
Here are some fun ideas on how to plan your own Food Day event.

1. Create your own cooking class at home. Invite several of your kids friends, choose 1-2 healthy recipes, and get cooking. Be sure to send everyone home with a copy of the recipes.
2. Have a potluck dinner with several families. Choose dishes that include seasonal fruits and vegetables—and purchase those ingredients from your farmers’ market.
3. Create a Food Day contest to get schools or families involved in friendly food related competition. Some of my favorites: bobbing for apples, a three-legged race, and best apple pie.
4. Organize a food drive at your kids’ school.
5. Organize a neighborhood trip to a local farmers’ market or to volunteer at a local farm.

Add your planned event to the Food Day website.

TELL US: How are you celebrating Food Day?