Blog, Child Hunger
IFFS Administration
That's a Wrap! Back to School Campaign Exceeds ...

Because of you, more children will start the school day ready to learn, without the pang of hunger as a distraction. Our Back-to-School campaign reminds us that along with pencils and paper, children need a daily supply of food to take on new concepts, run on playgrounds, and socialize more successfully.

That's a Wrap! Back to School Campaign Exceeds Match, Fills Shelves and Backpacks
IFFS Administration
NEW: Food Shuttle Academy is LIVE! Check Out ...

Our Community Health and Agriculture Education teams have collaborated to develop the new Food Shuttle Academy, an online learning platform with free, self-paced lessons on health, nutrition, agriculture, and more!

NEW: Food Shuttle Academy is LIVE! Check Out this FREE Online Learning Resource!
IFFS Administration
Food Shuttle Donors Crunch Spring Match ...

Our Spring Match challenge, made possible by generous funders, including SOLV Energy and the Mead Family Foundation, exceeded the $105,000 goal, raising an additional $70,000 to erase hunger!

Food Shuttle Donors Crunch Spring Match Challenge (And Then Some)!
IFFS Administration
The Support from Love, Tito's to Create Garden ...

Love, Tito’s has a heart for community gardens and increasing access to fresh, healthy foods. Their philanthropic Love, Tito’s Block to Block program, reconnects neighborhoods and creates community gardens and farms throughout the United States. Our hearts are in full bloom knowing that our Camden Street Garden will be the next beneficiary of Block to Block, allowing neighbors with mobility challenges to access our many activities more easily.

The Support from Love, Tito's to Create Garden Accessibility for All
IFFS Administration
Summer Brings Exciting Volunteer Opportunities ...

Gardening is an incredible way to spend a summer day. These opportunities will allow you to have fun while also helping others!

Summer Brings Exciting Volunteer Opportunities at the Food Shuttle

sweet potatoes

Grown Local in NC!

You may or may not know this, but North Carolina is the #1 producer of sweet potatoes in the United States! Buying local produce is vital to supporting local farms and farmers and in turn also helps to support your local economy. There are many ways to use and prepare sweet potatoes. These root veggies can be used as a side dish, dessert, snack, and part of breakfast or the center piece of a meal. Sweet potatoes are not just simple starches; sweet potatoes are rich in complex carbohydrates, dietary fiber, beta carotene or vitamin A, vitamin C, and vitamin B6, copper, riboflavin, pantothetic acid and folic acid.

Try this recipe for a variation of Sweet Potato Fries this week- Serve them up Cajun or Spiced style! 

Spiced or Cajun Sweet Potato Oven Fries

Serves 6, 8-10 fries per serving 

Cajun-Ingredients

  • 4 medium sweet potatoes (Sweet potatoes are in season in North Carolina and can be found at almost any local farmers market.)
  • 1½ teaspoons paprika
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
  • ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 2 Tablespoons olive oil

Spiced- Ingredients

  • 4 medium sweet potatoes (Sweet potatoes are in season in North Carolina and can be found at almost any local farmers market.)
  • 1½ teaspoons cinnamon
  • ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
  • ¼ teaspoon garlic salt
  • 2 Tablespoons olive oil

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 425°F.
  2. Rinse sweet potatoes.
  3. Leaving skin on, cut sweet potatoes into thick French fry strips, about ½-inch wide.
  4. Cajun seasoning: Mix paprika, salt, ground black pepper, and cayenne pepper in small mixing bowl. Spiced Seasoning: Mix cinnamon, black pepper, and garlic salt in a small mixing bowl to make .
  5. Transfer sweet potato pieces into a bowl. Add olive oil and seasoning and toss until sweet potato pieces are coated on all sides.
  6. Place sweet potato pieces in a single layer on a baking sheet, and bake for 15 minutes.
  7. Turn fries over and bake another 10-15 minutes, until fries are soft.

Notes

  • For easier cleanup, line the baking sheet with a layer of aluminum foil, before cooking the sweet potatoes.
  • Increase or decrease the amount of cayenne pepper in the Cajun seasoning to make it milder or spicier.
  • When handling the Cajun seasoning, be careful not to touch your face or eyes.
  • Try using honey mustard dip on the side with your finished sweet potatoes.