Comments on: Getting Beyond the Bagel Platter http://jcarrot.org/getting-beyond-the-bagel-platter Jews, Food, and Contemporary Issues Mon, 21 May 2012 04:07:24 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: mollyjade http://jcarrot.org/getting-beyond-the-bagel-platter/comment-page-1#comment-5827 mollyjade Wed, 30 Apr 2008 14:05:52 +0000 http://jcarrot.org/getting-beyond-the-bagel-platter/#comment-5827 Leah, what about glass plates? They'd be different enough from whatever other plates are floating around the office that people will remember they're kosher, and the kashrut rules about glass are more lenient. Leah, what about glass plates? They’d be different enough from whatever other plates are floating around the office that people will remember they’re kosher, and the kashrut rules about glass are more lenient.

]]> By: Kryss http://jcarrot.org/getting-beyond-the-bagel-platter/comment-page-1#comment-5784 Kryss Tue, 29 Apr 2008 17:33:13 +0000 http://jcarrot.org/getting-beyond-the-bagel-platter/#comment-5784 You could always buy a seperate set of plates that were slightly different (blue rimmed, but mostly white vs. white or something) to signify non kosher plates, so it wouldn't get confusing in the long term if that were an issue. Doing something like a kabab might be cheaper? Where each person gets 2-3 oz of meat in 3 one oz pieces, with organic veggies and fruits in between. (I'm unsure of this, but, it might be something to look into) Also- reusing veggies- you have 6 different veggies on your menu. Reducing that to 4 may be an option, and using the four you choose in different ways if you wanted to remain with the same number of dishes. Desert- it can be expensive, unfortunately. Nixing that with the organic flour, eggs, and nuts, and just serving the main meal might be an option. The question is- how important is the sweets to you? You could always buy a seperate set of plates that were slightly different (blue rimmed, but mostly white vs. white or something) to signify non kosher plates, so it wouldn’t get confusing in the long term if that were an issue.

Doing something like a kabab might be cheaper? Where each person gets 2-3 oz of meat in 3 one oz pieces, with organic veggies and fruits in between. (I’m unsure of this, but, it might be something to look into)

Also- reusing veggies- you have 6 different veggies on your menu. Reducing that to 4 may be an option, and using the four you choose in different ways if you wanted to remain with the same number of dishes.

Desert- it can be expensive, unfortunately. Nixing that with the organic flour, eggs, and nuts, and just serving the main meal might be an option. The question is- how important is the sweets to you?

]]> By: Eric Schulmiller http://jcarrot.org/getting-beyond-the-bagel-platter/comment-page-1#comment-5783 Eric Schulmiller Tue, 29 Apr 2008 17:33:01 +0000 http://jcarrot.org/getting-beyond-the-bagel-platter/#comment-5783 This may be too pie-in-the-sky, but what about a pot-luck option? This shows the board members that you value not only their time and ideas, but appreciate them sharing their own personal relationship with sustainable food. This may be too pie-in-the-sky, but what about a pot-luck option? This shows the board members that you value not only their time and ideas, but appreciate them sharing their own personal relationship with sustainable food.

]]> By: Leah Koenig http://jcarrot.org/getting-beyond-the-bagel-platter/comment-page-1#comment-5782 Leah Koenig Tue, 29 Apr 2008 16:39:03 +0000 http://jcarrot.org/getting-beyond-the-bagel-platter/#comment-5782 Thanks, all for these truly thought-provoking comments! It's true Avi, we did compromise on the salmon...it may turn out that we pick 1-2 "ethical standards" to uphold at every meeting, instead of being able to do absolutely everything, every time... lux, while I think you might be right in some cases about not serving a meal (e.g. for smaller meetings, events, etc.), when it comes to a board meeting, I think it's necessary. The board does so much for Hazon, including taking time out of their schedule to attend these quarterly meetings. It seems like the least we can do in thanks is feed them! It's true Shev, these concerns certainly extend beyond the board room and into our homes. That's an interesting thought, Catharine - maybe there are ways to get everyone involved in a more communal-style meal. That would certainly work for some of our meetings and events, though I'm not sure about the board. Thanks for the suggestions mollyjade - a grazing menu is a great idea. We are thinking about buying real plates, though there are some potential issues around keeping them kosher. If we stick to veggie/fish meals, however, that might not be a problem. Thanks, all for these truly thought-provoking comments!

It’s true Avi, we did compromise on the salmon…it may turn out that we pick 1-2 “ethical standards” to uphold at every meeting, instead of being able to do absolutely everything, every time…

lux, while I think you might be right in some cases about not serving a meal (e.g. for smaller meetings, events, etc.), when it comes to a board meeting, I think it’s necessary. The board does so much for Hazon, including taking time out of their schedule to attend these quarterly meetings. It seems like the least we can do in thanks is feed them!

It’s true Shev, these concerns certainly extend beyond the board room and into our homes.

That’s an interesting thought, Catharine – maybe there are ways to get everyone involved in a more communal-style meal. That would certainly work for some of our meetings and events, though I’m not sure about the board.

Thanks for the suggestions mollyjade – a grazing menu is a great idea. We are thinking about buying real plates, though there are some potential issues around keeping them kosher. If we stick to veggie/fish meals, however, that might not be a problem.

]]> By: mollyjade http://jcarrot.org/getting-beyond-the-bagel-platter/comment-page-1#comment-5781 mollyjade Tue, 29 Apr 2008 16:22:15 +0000 http://jcarrot.org/getting-beyond-the-bagel-platter/#comment-5781 What about a grazing menu instead of a full meal? Not only will this mean less food, but it might mean less need for serving pieces because you won't need silverwear if it's all fingerfood. Also, real plates instead of the bio-degradable disposables. It's cheaper in the long-run and even more environmentally friendly. And a vegetarian menu will almost always be cheaper than one that includes meat or fish (I bet even farm-raised salmon was significantly more expensive than organic tofu.) And tap water is a better budget choice than cider. What about a grazing menu instead of a full meal? Not only will this mean less food, but it might mean less need for serving pieces because you won’t need silverwear if it’s all fingerfood. Also, real plates instead of the bio-degradable disposables. It’s cheaper in the long-run and even more environmentally friendly. And a vegetarian menu will almost always be cheaper than one that includes meat or fish (I bet even farm-raised salmon was significantly more expensive than organic tofu.) And tap water is a better budget choice than cider.

]]> By: Catharine http://jcarrot.org/getting-beyond-the-bagel-platter/comment-page-1#comment-5776 Catharine Tue, 29 Apr 2008 12:27:28 +0000 http://jcarrot.org/getting-beyond-the-bagel-platter/#comment-5776 I agree that you are in a tough spot between two real issues - sustainable food and the organization's food budget. I don't think that the solution, though, is not to serve food at your board meetings. Eating together from communal food helps create an atmosphere of care and cooperation. I agree that you are in a tough spot between two real issues – sustainable food and the organization’s food budget. I don’t think that the solution, though, is not to serve food at your board meetings. Eating together from communal food helps create an atmosphere of care and cooperation.

]]> By: shev http://jcarrot.org/getting-beyond-the-bagel-platter/comment-page-1#comment-5758 shev Tue, 29 Apr 2008 01:51:44 +0000 http://jcarrot.org/getting-beyond-the-bagel-platter/#comment-5758 This is great. A reflection of real life. How can I, in my ordinary kitchen, with the small amount of time and money I have, make a kosher, healthful, local, delicious meal for my family of 6? Oh, make that every night. And breakfast and lunch-boxes too. Glad to hear you're thinking about it. This is great. A reflection of real life.

How can I, in my ordinary kitchen, with the small amount of time and money I have, make a kosher, healthful, local, delicious meal for my family of 6? Oh, make that every night. And breakfast and lunch-boxes too.

Glad to hear you’re thinking about it.

]]> By: lux http://jcarrot.org/getting-beyond-the-bagel-platter/comment-page-1#comment-5751 lux Mon, 28 Apr 2008 22:24:33 +0000 http://jcarrot.org/getting-beyond-the-bagel-platter/#comment-5751 The obvious option for Board meetings is to simply not serve a meal, and either invite Board members to bring their own food or extend the lunch break time to allow for people to go out and buy a meal elsewhere. The obvious option for Board meetings is to simply not serve a meal, and either invite Board members to bring their own food or extend the lunch break time to allow for people to go out and buy a meal elsewhere.

]]> By: Avi http://jcarrot.org/getting-beyond-the-bagel-platter/comment-page-1#comment-5750 Avi Mon, 28 Apr 2008 22:20:53 +0000 http://jcarrot.org/getting-beyond-the-bagel-platter/#comment-5750 You've already compromised your principles by using farm raised salmon instead of wild line caught salmon. Instead of debating between spending more vs. eating your principles, I think you should examine the need for food at every event/meeting? Why not ask people to eat before/after so that your limited budget resources can go to better uses than feeding people. You’ve already compromised your principles by using farm raised salmon instead of wild line caught salmon.

Instead of debating between spending more vs. eating your principles, I think you should examine the need for food at every event/meeting? Why not ask people to eat before/after so that your limited budget resources can go to better uses than feeding people.

]]>