Closing the Food Disparity Gap One Food Desert at a Time
As a child when you are hungry you just run to the table with excitement, ready to eat. You do not think about where dinner comes from, it just magically appears. As someone who grew up eating anything WIC and Food Stamps, or SNAP, could buy, I was intrigued to learn more about Chef Amber Williams’ book, Surviving the Food Desert. The book shares recipes meant for the everyday cook with access to limited fresh ingredients and pantry staples.
Raised on meals pulled together by her mom from local food drive boxes, Amber is a self-taught chef who you may know from Food Network’s Supermarket Stakeout. Coming from a lineage of chefs, restaurateurs, and entrepreneurs, cooking captivated Amber at an early age. She planted herself in front of the TV, “I was stuck to the TV since I was a child, watching public access TV…[then] when we did have cable, watching Food Network.” She stalked any cooking show she could find, “When people ask me what school did I go to, I’m like ‘Oh I graduated from Food Network University.’” By the time she reached college Amber became known as the go-to person on campus for sweet treats. Her sweet sensations were in such high demand that after school one of her college friends reached out and asked Amber to make her wedding cake.
Today, after a short stint in corporate America, Amber has her own culinary business, Le Rouge, “an elevated Creole Fusion brand specializing in providing professional, customizable and unique catering solutions”. Starting super lean in the early years, Amber maintained the fire to survive on her own. “I had to define what was and what was not important, and what was and was not a necessity.”
As Amber developed her culinary career she always remembered where she came from. While teaching a culinary class at the North Texas Food Bank she also listened and learned. Attendees of her cooking classes had questions, like “What is a butternut squash?” and “How do I cook that?” The more questions came, the more she began to recognize the need for education. Not only did people in food deserts need food, but they also needed education on ways to cook the food in nutritious ways.
When Amber set out to write Surviving the Food Desert we were all in the middle of a pandemic. This time in her life inspired her not only to include recipes in the book, but there are also moments of motivation sprinkled throughout the book. Some recipes in the book are staples from her childhood such as her mom’s “Full Pack Dinner”, which is a one-pot meal or a “gift on a plate” as Amber describes it.
For anyone struggling to make something out of nothing, or trying to decide what to do with the can of beans that has been in their pantry for months, Amber says to “Be creative, don’t be afraid to substitute, use what you have, and make it your own.”
The Surviving the Food Desert Project is about “bridging accessible resources to sustainable & approachable educational programming to improve and elevate the quality of life for citizens living in food-disparaged communities in order to further close the food & health disparity gap.” Accompanying the book is a resource guide, a directory for how people can be a part of the initiative in their community and find the closest organization near them.
For any up and coming chefs who grew up with a dream like Amber’s she shares some lessons learned. “Build a community, and get up under some people; be humble, work for people, even your peers. Envision what you want for your company and define your why, don’t rely on money. Find your signature brand or dish. There are tons of resources available like the Small Business Administration, chambers of commerce, and Google.”
Surviving the Food Desert is available at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Walmart, and more.
Discover more from Flights and Foods
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
16,317 Comments
url
Hey there! I just came across this fantastic article on online gambling and couldn’t miss the chance to share it.
If you’re someone who’s looking to explore more about the industry of online casinos, this article is a
must-read.
I have always been interested in online gaming, and after reading this, I learned
so much about how to choose a trustworthy online casino.
The article does a great job of explaining everything
from tips for betting. If you’re new to the whole scene, or even if you’ve been gambling for years, this guide is an essential read.
I highly recommend it for anyone who needs to get more familiar with online gambling options.
Not only, the article covers some great advice about finding a safe online casino, which I think
is extremely important. So many people overlook this aspect, but this post
clearly shows you the best ways to gamble responsibly.
What I liked most was the section on bonuses and
promotions, which I think is crucial when choosing a site to play on. The insights here are priceless for
anyone looking to maximize their winnings.
Furthermore, the tips about limiting your losses were very useful.
The advice is clear and actionable, making it easy for gamblers
to take control of their gambling habits and
avoid pitfalls.
The benefits and risks of online gambling were also
thoroughly discussed. If you’re considering trying your luck at an online
casino, this article is a great starting point to understand both the excitement and the risks involved.
If you’re into poker, you’ll find tons of valuable
tips here. The article really covers all the popular games in detail, giving you the tools you need to boost your skill level.
Whether you’re into competitive games like poker or just
enjoy a casual round of slots, this article has plenty for everyone.
I personally appreciated the discussion about transaction methods.
It’s crucial to know that you’re using a platform that’s safe and protected.
It’s really helps you make sure your personal information is
in good hands when you play online.
In case you’re wondering where to start, I highly recommend
reading this guide. It’s clear, informative, and packed with valuable insights.
Definitely, one of the best articles I’ve come across in a while
on this topic.
So, I strongly suggest checking it out and giving it a read.
You won’t regret it! Trust me, you’ll
walk away feeling like a more informed player in the online casino world.
If you’re just starting, this article is an excellent resource.
It helps you avoid common mistakes and teaches you how
to have a fun and safe gambling experience. Definitely worth checking out!
I appreciate how well-researched and thorough this article is.
I’ll definitely be coming back to it whenever I need
a refresher on online gambling.
Has anyone else read it yet? What do you think?
Let me know your thoughts in the comments!
Çağ Medya
Hey! This is my first visit to your blog! We are a team of
volunteers and starting a new initiative in a
community in the same niche. Your blog provided us useful information to work on. You
have done a outstanding job!
page
Hi! I just came across this fantastic article on casino games and couldn’t resist the chance to share it.
If you’re someone who’s looking to explore more about the industry of online casinos, it is a must-read.
I have always been fascinated in casino games, and after reading
this, I gained so much about how online casinos work.
This post does a wonderful job of explaining everything from game strategies.
If you’re new to the whole scene, or even if you’ve
been gambling for years, this article is an essential
read. I highly recommend it for anyone who wants to get more familiar with casino game dynamics.
Not only, the article covers some great advice about
selecting a safe online casino, which I think is extremely important.
Many people overlook this aspect, but this post clearly shows you the best ways
to stay safe.
What I liked most was the section on how bonuses work in casinos, which I
think is crucial when choosing a site to play on. The insights here are
priceless for anyone looking to take advantage
of bonus offers.
In addition, the tips about budgeting your gambling were very useful.
The advice is clear and actionable, making it easy for gamblers to take
control of their gambling habits and avoid pitfalls.
The benefits and risks of online gambling were also thoroughly discussed.
If you’re considering trying your luck at an online casino, this
article is a great starting point to understand both the excitement and the risks involved.
If you’re into roulette, you’ll find tons of valuable tips
here. They really covers all the popular games in detail, giving you the tools you
need to improve your chances. Whether you’re into competitive games like
poker or just enjoy a casual round of slots, this article has plenty for everyone.
I also appreciated the discussion about transaction methods.
It’s crucial to know that you’re using a platform that’s safe and secure.
It’s really helps you make sure your personal information is in good hands when you play online.
In case you’re wondering where to start, I highly recommend
reading this guide. It’s clear, informative, and packed with valuable
insights. Definitely, one of the best articles I’ve come across in a while
on this topic.
If you haven’t yet, I strongly suggest checking it out
and giving it a read. You won’t regret it!
Trust me, you’ll finish reading feeling like a better prepared player in the online casino world.
Whether you’re a beginner, this article is an excellent resource.
It helps you avoid common mistakes and teaches you how to have a fun and safe gambling
experience. Definitely worth checking out!
I appreciate how well-researched and thorough this article is.
I’ll definitely be coming back to it whenever I need advice on online gambling.
Has anyone else read it yet? What do you think?
Let me know your thoughts in the comments!
casino article
Wow! I just came across this fantastic article on online casinos and simply
miss the chance to share it. If you’re someone
who’s interested to explore more about the realm of online casinos,
this article is absolutely.
I’ve always been fascinated in online gaming, and
after reading this, I gained so much about the various types of casino games.
The article does a wonderful job of explaining everything from what to watch for in online casinos.
If you’re new to the whole scene, or even if you’ve
been playing for years, this guide is an essential read.
I highly recommend it for anyone who wants to get informed with online gambling options.
Additionally, the article covers some great advice about finding a trusted online casino,
which I think is extremely important. So many people overlook this aspect, but this post clearly
shows you the best ways to ensure you’re
playing at a legit site.
What I liked most was the section on rewards and free spins, which I
think is crucial when choosing a site to play on. The insights here are priceless for anyone looking to make
the most out of every bet.
Furthermore, the tips about limiting your losses were very helpful.
The advice is clear and actionable, making it easy for gamblers to take control of their gambling habits
and stay within their limits.
The advantages and disadvantages of online gambling were also thoroughly discussed.
If you’re considering trying your luck at an online casino, this article is a great starting point to grasp both the
excitement and the risks involved.
If you’re into poker, you’ll find tons of valuable tips
here. They really covers all the popular games in detail, giving you the tools you need to boost your
skill level. Whether you’re into competitive games like poker or just enjoy a casual round
of slots, this article has plenty for everyone.
I personally appreciated the discussion about online casino security.
It’s crucial to know that you’re gambling on a site that’s safe and protected.
This article really helps you make sure your personal information is in good hands when you play
online.
In case you’re unsure where to start, I highly recommend reading this guide.
It’s clear, informative, and packed with valuable insights.
Definitely, one of the best articles I’ve come across in a while on this topic.
So, I strongly suggest checking it out and giving it a read.
You won’t regret it! Trust me, you’ll finish reading feeling like a more informed
player in the online casino world.
If you’re just starting, this article is an excellent resource.
It helps you avoid common mistakes and teaches you how to have a fun and safe gambling experience.
Definitely worth checking out!
I appreciate how well-researched and thorough this article is.
I’ll definitely be coming back to it whenever I need advice
on online gambling.
Has anyone else read it yet? What do you think?
Feel free to share!
Free YouTube Video Downloader
Hi there just wanted to give you a quick heads up. The text in your post seem
to be running off the screen in Chrome. I’m not sure if this is a format issue or something to do with internet browser compatibility but I thought I’d post to let
you know. The design and style look great though! Hope you
get the issue fixed soon. Many thanks
car keyless entry remote repair
Keyless Entry Remote Repair Explained In Fewer Than 140
Characters car keyless entry remote repair
Emergency Car Key Repair
17 Reasons To Not Ignore Car Key Repair Emergency Car Key Repair
Remote Key Repair
Car Remote Key Repair Tools To Improve Your Daily Lifethe One Car Remote Key Repair Trick That Everyone Should Know Remote Key Repair
key fob repair
Be On The Lookout For: How Push To Start Key Repair Is Taking Over And What
You Can Do About It key fob repair
ignition key repair
See What Ignition Key Repair Tricks The Celebs Are Making Use Of
ignition key repair