Wednesday, May 12, 2010

Am Looking Forward to the Chicago Green Festival

Am looking forward to the Chicago Green Festival that's coming to Navy Pier on May 22nd and 23rd. It takes place during the weekend so you can bring the entire family to learn more about green products and services.

About 350 booths will offer organic foods, fair trade beverages, beauty products, clothes, and green home services, etc. Last year SodaStream Soda Maker attracted a big audience to its booth - people wanted to learn more about how to make flavored soda at home to save money and help the environment. There will be lectures galore on everything from urban agriculture to toxic homes to social media for social good. Amy Goodman, Dr. Alan Greene ("Raising Baby Green"), and Ambassador Carol Moseley Braun are among the festival's 150 speakers. A Community Action pavillion, Fair Trade pavillion, a Green Home pavillion, and Green Kids' Zone offering children's activities will be at the festival. Free bike valet being provided courtesy of Clif Bar.

The Chicago Green Festival is offering a free ticket ($10 at the door) if you give them your name and email address at: http://www.greenfestivals.org/chicago-free-ticket-offer/

Food Technology Innovation & Safety Forum

Attended the Food Technology Innovation & Safety Forum at Hyatt O'Hare
yesterday. Speakers included Mark Timble (president - North American
Consumer Foods at McCormick & Company), Todd Hale (SVP, consumer &
shopper insights at the Nielsen Company), Dr. Chor-San Khoo (senior
fellow, former VP global nutrition and health at Campbell Soup
Company), and Dr. Elizabeth Pivonka (president and CEO of Produce for
Better Health Foundation).

Learned about the challenges of reducing sodium in foods from Dr. Khoo.
Afternoon break refreshments included fresh fruit (appropriate after
hearing about health benefits of fruits and vegetables), biscotti, and
huge cookies. Sponsored by Bubbies Homemade Ice Cream & Desserts Inc.