Eat for Equity has a pie for you

It's fun to give while receiving. At least that's the carrot extended by Eat for Equity, a nonprofit that organizes and cooks collaborative dinners to raise money for organizations that address community inequities at the local level, such as the American Refugee Committee or the Just Health Network. This month, they're baking pies and brick-oven breads from scratch. For a donation, you can bring home an apple, buttermilk walnut or pumpkin pie, or a fresh loaf of crusty bread — or more, as the donating spirit moves you. Hey, for $1,000, they'll come to your home and cook a private dinner for up to 10 guests. Baked goods will be available for pickup Dec. 22 and 23 at Bethany Lutheran Church, 3901 36th Av. S., Minneapolis. To see the sliding scale of donations and place an order, visit http://eatforequity.org/?p=2439.

Edible is expanding

Readers of the Edible Twin Cities magazine know it's a great source of coverage about local, sustainable foods. But it's just one of 80 such magazines across the country. Now some of the content from the Edible Communities magazines is heading toward a new national website and television program. The launch of www.ediblefeast.com also will include food coverage from such sources as Taunton's Fine Cooking, Food52, Local Harvest, the Perennial Plate and more.

Apples galore help even more

A bit of good news here to pass along. Last year's frost-damaged apple crop was a bust, which also affected hungry Minnesotans who have benefited from excess fresh fruit collected by Fruits of the City, a program of the Minnesota Project. Simply, there was little excess fruit. So this year's healthy crop comes as great news to the more than 30 area food shelves and three regional food banks that disburse the apples. More than 115,000 pounds of excess fresh fruit was collected by volunteers, saving food that otherwise would have gone uneaten. To learn more, visit www.mnproject.org.

Nuts to you

If healthy (and delicious) snacking seems hard to come by this season, consider Sante Morsels, a spiced nut mixture created by Tasya Rosenfeld Kelen of Minneapolis. Sante (SAHN-tay) is "health" in French, although she's frank enough to preface "healthy" with "sinfully." Kelen roasts organic pecans, walnuts and cashews with a hint of maple syrup and a variety of spices, such as the antioxidants turmeric and cumin. Varieties are Cayenne Kick, Holiday Cinnamon and Zesty Lemon Rosemary. She's selling the morsels from noon to 5 p.m. Saturday at Mille boutique, 316 W. 48th St., Minneapolis (also Dec. 19 and 21). A pint jar is $12. For info about ordering for Twin Cities delivery before Christmas, visit www.sante morsels.com.

STAFF REPORTS