Saturday April 17: Share Our Strength Food Blogger Bake Sale @ Brooklyn Flea

Most of us don't realize that hunger is a problem that is widespread in our country.  We think of it as something that only afflicts so-called third world countries, but the reality is that there are millions of people in the US who struggle with hunger.  Food insecurity (the technical term for it) is even more rampant these days as a result of the recent economic downturn, and children are disproportionately affected.  I'm fairly certain that nearly everyone reading this (myself included) is fortunate enough to never have had to struggle with this; we can all buy food without worrying if we can pay the rent, and often we buy items that are downright luxurious (Maldon sea salt and farm eggs that cost 50 cents a piece are just some of my recent indulgences).  Because of this disparity, I've decided to participate in this year's Share Our Strength Great American Bake Sale, and I'm asking all of you to help out.

Share Our Strength is an organization dedicated to fighting childhood hunger in America.  Each year, they sponsor a number of food-related events, the proceeds of which support nutrition for impoverished children.  The Great American Bake Sale is an annual event in which people across the country host bake sales and donate the proceeds to the organization.  (I'm sure you've seen the commercials on Food Network.)  I had always wanted to participate, but for some reason or another, I never got around to doing so.  However, this year, a local blogger, Jacquie of The JLH Life, took the initiative to coordinate a NYC food blogger bake sale at a prime location, The Brooklyn Flea, thereby making it incredibly easy for people to participate.  I signed up immediately and, as of right now, there are FORTY NYC food bloggers signed up to donate baked goods.  Some of us - myself included - will be at The Brooklyn Flea at One Hanson Place this Saturday, April 17, to sell our creations.

I contemplated a few different things, but eventually decided on a few signature flavors of mini cupcakes.  I'm not sure what time I'll be there (stay tuned for an update and follow me on Twitter), but I will have in tow the following flavors (all pictured above):

• Pistachio-cardamom cake with rosewater meringue buttercream frosting 

• Chocolate-coffee porter cake with salted caramel meringue buttercream frosting

• Coconut cake with coconut-kaffir lime cream cheese frosting

So what can you do to help?  Either stop by The Brooklyn Flea this Saturday, April 17 between 10 am and 6 pm to buy some baked goods, or, if you can't make it, directly donate to Share Our Strength.