Welcome back from the long weekend! Hopefully, the last bits of July 4th merriment have been scraped off the grill and the leftovers are tucked into Tupperware for lunch. To help you acclimate back to the work week, here are a three tidbits from the Jewish and foodie blogospheres. B’tai Avon!

Calculate Your Carbon Foodprint. Edible San Francisco reported that Bon Appetit (the food company, not the magazine) wants to help eaters calculate and lower their “carbon foodprints:” “Bon Appétit aims to reduce its CO2 emissions in the highest-impact areas by 25 percent over three years…The company has also launched an online Eat Low Carbon Diet calculator, which will tell you the CO2e points associated with various foods, as well as a phone-based service: just send a text to 69866 with the letters LCD and the food you’re considering. ” Read the story here.

Democrats want their convention food local. The NY Times reported that The Democratic National Convention, which will be held in Denver, is facing myriad budget issues. Among them (though certainly not the most expensive of the worries): the extra costs associated with serving local and organic food. “Nick Agro, head of Whirled Peas Catering, questioned whether the requirement for local organic food could meet cost constraints. ‘These were fantastic ideas, but I question who is willing to pay for these extra costs,’ Mr. Agro said.” Read the full story here. (Thanks for the Daniel Kestin for heads up.)

Food shortages affecting Jewish food pantries. Increased gas and food prices plus rising unemployment rates, plus is equaling a serious crunch for food pantries across the country, including Jewish ones, the JTA reported. Michigan’s only kosher food bank is struggling to keep up. Read the full story here.