The Last Grape

Walking into the grocery store
All that beautiful fruit
What happens if it doesn’t sell?
Does it go down the garbage shoot?

What happens if you do that every day?
At supermarkets, school and at home too
Before throwing food in the trash
What else can we do?

Think about all the people that food could feed
Let’s get that food to people in need!
Bruised apples and strawberries and funny looking grapes
Make sure you check those expiration dates

Composting is something that’s easy to drive
I started doing it when I was five
Local grocers, farmers, or a restaurants grill
Just because it didn’t sell doesn’t mean it should wind up in a landfill

So become a food donor; it’s good for the planet
You’re never too old to start a good habit

​Let’s fight food waste, let’s start something new
For a greener planet, for me and you.

Skip to 20:20 for poem reading.

Bio: Sloane is a 2nd grader who has always cared deeply about ingredients, eating healthy and food waste. She encourages her family to do the same, to recycle and even compost when we can. She loves to read, write and has encouraged friends at school to also give thought to their food and avoiding food waste.

Budae Jjigae

“Should I make budae jjigae?”
My dad asks and I always answer
“Of course!”

No need for two bowls.
Just one big hot pot of fiery red stew
Is enough.
We dip our metal spoons in
As the steam fills the air,
Fogging up my glasses.
I can’t see clearly,
But I can feel the warmth.

I feel the warmth.
The piping hot stew boils.
A bite from the juicy savory meat,
Leaves a big smile on my glistening face.
The mouth-watering spiciness from the red kimchi
Makes me reach for a tall icy glass of water.
Slurping the curly hot long noodles with my dad beside me,
Causing my mom to scold us from the mess we made.

Our family comes together in making this
The warmth filling not only our stomachs
But our kitchen and lives as well.

Taking advantage of the life I have,
Not realizing how moments like this,
Are precious for people in need.

The lives of many are filled with hunger,
Where families are unable to eat together,
Where the parents sit and watch,
Saying “I’m not hungry” to distract.

The food which connects,
Unable to reach the families in hunger,
Unable to bring warmth
Of comfort and safety.
The special warmth of a shared meal.