Combating Hunger with Family Meals

In the midst of busy schedules and diverse dietary needs, many families often face the familiar question: “What shall we have for dinner?” However, while some families ponder over meal choices, it’s important to acknowledge that millions of people struggle to provide food for their loved ones every single night. Shockingly, approximately 1 in 8 children experience food insecurity, as reported by Feeding America.

You have the power to make a difference by supporting Safeway and Albertsons’ initiative called “Fight Hunger, Serve Hope.” This program aims to combat hunger in local communities, particularly during the summer months when households with school-aged children face higher rates of food insecurity. By purchasing O Organics® products, Safeway and Albertsons’ private label, you can contribute to this cause. For each O Organics® product purchased, a meal will be donated, with the goal of reaching $7 million in donations, equivalent to providing 28 million meals. The donations will be directed to Nourishing Neighbors, a program run by the Albertsons Companies Foundation, which focuses on granting access to healthy meals for at-risk youth throughout the summer.

Jennifer Saenz, Executive Vice President and Chief Merchandising Officer at Albertsons Companies, emphasised the significance of this initiative, stating, “While summer brings excitement for many students, it also highlights the unfortunate reality that millions of children face when they no longer have access to the school cafeteria lunches and breakfasts they rely on during the school year. As a company, we are committed to making a difference in the lives of these children in need. This time, we are making it easier than ever for our customers to support this mission by linking every purchase of our O Organics brand to hunger relief efforts in the communities we serve.”

Once the campaign period ends, there are several ways for families to continue contributing to their communities:

1. Donate Canned Goods: When school is in session, many classrooms participate in canned food drives for various causes, which serve a dual purpose: feeding those in need and teaching children the importance of giving back. Encourage your students to bring canned goods to school, as this can help them understand the value of helping others and instil a sense of responsibility.
2. Volunteer at a Food Pantry: Sharing valuable resources like canned goods makes a significant impact, but local food pantries also require dedicated volunteers to sort and distribute food, among other duties. Volunteering at a food pantry provides a unique perspective as you interact with other volunteers, improve the lives of people in your community, and acquire new skills.
3. Promote the Power of Family Meals: Whether it’s breakfast, lunch, dinner, or all three, sharing a meal with your neighbours can be a profound moment. It provides an opportunity to connect with others while enjoying easy-to-make recipes like Ribeye Steak, Grape Tomato and Mushroom Kebabs; Grilled Chicken Salad with Goat Cheese, Fresh Blueberries and Pecans; and Mixed Berry-Lime Smoothie Bowl with Banana and Granola.

For more meal ideas, visit Safeway.com and Albertsons.com.

Recipe: Ribeye Steak, Grape Tomato and Mushroom Kebabs Courtesy of Safeway and Albertsons Total time: 30 minutes

Ingredients:

• 2 cloves of garlic
• 1/2 small bunch of Italian (flat-leaf) parsley
• 1/4 cup of O Organics extra-virgin olive oil
• 1/8 cup of red wine vinegar
• 2 teaspoons of O Organics Dijon mustard
• 1/2 teaspoon of salt
• 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper
• 3/4 pound of O Organics ribeye steak
• 1/2 pint of O Organics grape tomatoes
• 1/4 pound of O Organics white mushrooms
• Optional: sliced green pepper
• 1/2 medium red onion
• 6 skewers

Instructions:

1. Peel and mince the garlic. Wash and dry the parsley, removing the leaves from the stems. Mince the parsley leaves, reserving some for garnish.
2. In a large bowl, whisk together the minced garlic, half of the minced parsley, olive oil, red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, salt, and black pepper.
3. Cut the ribeye steak into cubes and add them to the marinade bowl. Toss to coat.
4. Wash the grape tomatoes, mushrooms, and green pepper (if using). Halve the mushrooms. Add the tomatoes, mushrooms, and green pepper to the marinade. Peel the red onion and cut it into chunks; add to the marinade. Toss the beef and vegetables until well coated.
5. Heat a grill pan, outdoor grill, or skillet over medium-high heat.
6. Thread the steak and vegetables onto the skewers.
7. Cook the kebabs in batches until the steak is browned and the vegetables are tender, approximately 3-5 minutes per side. Transfer to a plate and repeat with the remaining kebabs.
8. To serve, plate the kebabs and sprinkle with the remaining minced parsley.

Recipe: Grilled Chicken Salad with Goat Cheese, Fresh Blueberries and Pecans Courtesy of Safeway and Albertsons Total time: 20 minutes

Ingredients:

• 3/4 pound boneless, skinless O Organics chicken breasts
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 teaspoons O Organics extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 package (5 ounces) O Organics spring mix
• 1 package (6 ounces) O Organics blueberries (or your desired berries)
• 1/4 cup O Organics pecan halves
• 3 tablespoons O Organics olive oil
• 1 tablespoon O Organics balsamic vinegar
• 1/2 log (4 ounces) O Organics goat cheese

Instructions:

1. Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels and place them on a cutting board. Cut each chicken breast in half horizontally to create thin cutlets. Season with salt and black pepper on both sides.
2. Preheat a grill pan, outdoor grill, or skillet over medium-high heat.
3. Once the pan is hot, coat it with olive oil. Add the chicken to the pan and grill, turning once, until cooked through, approximately 3-4 minutes per side.
4. Wash and dry the spring mix. Place it in a medium bowl.
5. Wash and dry the blueberries. Add them to the bowl with the mixed greens. Use a clean cutting board to roughly chop the pecans, then add them to the bowl.
6. Transfer the cooked chicken to a cutting board and cut it into thin strips.
7. In a bowl, mix together the olive oil and balsamic vinegar to create the dressing.
8. Add the chicken and dressing to the salad bowl; toss to combine.
9. To serve, divide the salad between plates or bowls and crumble the goat cheese on top.

Recipe: Mixed Berry-Lime Smoothie Bowl with Banana and Granola Courtesy of Safeway and Albertsons Total time: 10 minutes Yield: 3 cups

Ingredients:

• 1 banana
• 1/2 package (6 ounces) O Organics blackberries
• 1/2 lime
• 2 cups O Organics frozen mixed berries
• 1 cup plain O Organics Greek yogurt
• 4 fluid ounces O Organics whole milk
• 1/8 cup O Organics honey
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 2/3 cup O Organics granola of your choice

Instructions:

1. Wash and dry the banana and blackberries.
2. Peel the banana and thinly slice it; set aside.
3. Zest and juice the lime into a blender. Add the frozen mixed berries, Greek yogurt, milk, honey, and ground cinnamon. Blend on high speed until smooth, approximately 1-2 minutes.
4. To serve, divide the smoothie between bowls and top with banana slices, blackberries, and granola.

By coming together and taking action, we can make a meaningful impact in the fight against hunger. Let’s create a better future for our communities.