Food

Come November, California voters will decide on the fate of Proposition 37, an initiative that would require the labeling of genetically engineered food. If Prop 37 passes, the state will become the first in the country to require such a labeling system.

The fourth annual event put on by the Temescal-Telegraph Business Improvement District included 27 restaurants this year. Crawl-goers ducked into restaurants or stopped at outside food stalls to sample the diverse offerings.

It’s close to 3 p.m., and Bakesale Betty sold out of its last sandwich a little over an hour ago. The shop’s co-owner, Alison Barakat, who also goes by “Betty” while she’s working, is not wearing the trademark blue wig that customers have come to recognize.

McDonald’s started posting calorie information on its menus at restaurants and drive-thrus around the country. In California, this practice began in January 2011.

At Lincoln Elementary School and nearly 50 other Oakland schools, the custodians, nutrition staff and faculty have banded together to use lunchtime as an opportunity to teach students how to compost.

A growing number of food stamp recipients are using their benefits at Oakland farmers’ markets. But profits from such transactions could decline if a proposed $16.5 billion cut to the federal food stamp program passes in Congress.

Foodies and gourmands alike flocked to Jack London Square this weekend for the fourth annual Eat Real Festival.

Last week Dana Harvey, the executive director of Mandela Marketplace, a West Oakland-based nonprofit that helps residents create businesses that sell produce grown by local farmers, received a White House award for her efforts to make healthy foods accessible in Oakland.

The Healthy Neighborhood Stores Alliance (HNSA) is a West Oakland effort to incorporate produce into corner stores that typically stock only liquor, canned goods, frozen and packaged foods, and a few household appliances.