Spotlight on San Diego's "Table for Two"

“San Diego’s Table for Two.” I had the honor of meeting Mayumi Uejima-Carr, the San Diego representative of the nonprofit Table for Two (TFT) at Ecoffiency’s “A Taste of Summer” event held in June 2012 at Liberty Station. She took the time to tell me a little about the organization and its local vision. TFT was founded in Japan in 2007 and currently has 400 participating organizations that include corporations, restaurants, and universities. The organization partners with restaurants, adding a 25 cent charge to the price of the meal which is used to provide school lunches in various countries such as Uganda, Rwanda and Ethiopia. By participating in this TFT program, “one does good for oneself and for another … when you dine at Table for Two, you never dine alone.” According to TFT, in a world of 7 billion, “1 billion suffer from hunger and malnutrition, while an equal number face obesity, diabetes, and other health issues related to ‘overnutrition.’” TFT is working to eliminate this huge imbalance by addressing these opposing problems in a simple and direct manner -- through a meal by transferring our nation's food excesses in a way that benefits children in need. The local chapter has already formed partnerships with Flavors of East Africa, Jamroc 101, Extreme Pizza La Jolla, California Kebab and Beer Garden, Tajima, Kidding Around. TFT has also worked with TEDx UC Irvine, TEDxSDSU, San Diego Foodies and A Taste of Summer. I am very happy to say that in addition to the international hunger-related issues, Mayumi told me that TFT has started to focus on domestic hunger issues. TFT will assist by providing donations to schools and assisting in the creation of healthy school lunch programs in San Diego and other parts of the United States.

The local TFT chapter is preparing for its 2012 World Food Day Celebration on Tuesday, October 16, 2012 at California Kebab located at 4150 Mission Blvd #208 in Pacific Beach starting at 6:00 p.m. and will feature a Healthy Meal/Food Art Exhibit presented by local children; California Kebabs and healthy food samples, prizes and more. California Kebab will donate 10 percent of its proceeds generated during the event to TFT’s cause. Through this joint presentation, organizers will raise awareness about issues of obesity and hunger simultaneously. Admission is free. (www.tablefor2.org) Check out other happenings at Brigitte's Events at Facebook Page Twitter: @suitebrigitte