New York and Inspirational People

Hi everyone,
Isn't our fall beautiful this year? I'm not much of a winter person, but I do love the fall; crisp fresh air, pumpkins and flannel shirts, yeah.
I wanted to finish telling you about some folks I met in New York. It was almost lunch-time and I still needed to find a perfect avocado that had eluded me for my class, so I checked in at The Ella Baker Baker School where I was to teach at 1:00 and asked about grocery stores in the neighborhood. Thankfully the store had what I needed and I started to walk back to the school. I was hungry and needed a lunch that didn't take too long to prepare. As anyone knows who has been to New York there are wonderful restaurants everywhere! I walked by a few that looked interesting, but one in particular caught my eye; The Candle Cafe. I stepped in and asked if I would be able to order a salad within my time frame and as yes was the answer, I sat down. I had a wonderful arugula, beet, fig and fresh raspberry vinaigrette salad and perused their cookbook while I was waiting. I bought the book as the food was delicious and headed back to the school. After I taught the kids, I taught the adults. Who do you think were there? The owners of The Candle Cafe.
They are Joy Pierson and Bart Potenza. They are the most amazing people. Even though they don't have children at The Ella Baker School, they prepare an organic lunch for the kids one day a week in the price range that the school can afford. The kids love the fresh soups, salads, lasagnes, etc. and the teachers and parents feel good about what they are serving their children. They also very involved in the New York Coalition for Healthy School Lunches. If you want to order their cookbook it is called The Candle Cafe Cookbook.
I'm hoping that between us all we can work a bit harder to do the same with our kids lunches here in California where we actually can grow the food most of the year! They all worked together to keep the school clean and vibrant while serving nutritious foods.
I loved the synchronicity of this story and thought you all might like to hear about it.
Best of Health.
Patty