Briefly

Foodlanthropy is about growing, preparing and sharing food to promote the welfare of others. Or, more simply, it’s great food + great works!

Tell Me More

Food is love. That’s the message imprinted from my childhood experience. My family did not have much, but every meal prepared by my parents for our family of seven was made with love. A meal prepared with love, care, and regard for the ingredients will feed body, spirit and soul.

Explore the world from your plate. I love to travel. I mean I LOVE to travel. The most exciting aspect of travel is getting to know the culture by eating like the locals do. Be curious and, more importantly, be courteous and respectful of the local customs. If you do, I guarantee you will have a much better experience and likely make a lot of new friends!

“Education is money in the bank no one can ever take from you.” Those words were repeated to me throughout my childhood and well into adulthood by my grandfather, Roy Martinez. My grandfather had to leave school after third grade so he could work and contribute to his family. My grandmother never had the chance to attend school. I took to heart the understanding education is key to improving one’s life and increasing opportunities. And the beauty is, one is never too old to learn. Did I mention I’m learning to use WordPress?

We are one. Regardless of religion, race, gender or socio-economic status, we are all members of this great big human race. I believe firmly we were each put on this earth to realize our connectedness, discover our personal talents, and use those talents to make this world a better place.

How it manifests

Foodlanthropy is a supper club that raises money for non-profit organizations.

Foodlanthropy is a food drive.

Foodlanthropy is starting a garden at a school so kids who may have never eaten broccoli can learn how to grow, harvest and prepare it.

Foodlanthropy is making homemade chicken soup when family, a friend or a neighbor feels under the weather.

Foodlanthropy is, simply, combining good food with good works to make the world a better place.

Bio

I am originally from San Antonio and moved to Austin in 1986 to attend UT Austin, where I received my BS in Math.  I have  been working as a “change agent” in hi tech for over 20 years, doing really cool stuff for a very cool company based in CA. I have also always been driven by the desire to work for the greater good, and after having watched events -good and bad –  in the local and global community from the sidelines, I decided it was time to use my talents to drive positive change.

I’ve travelled quite to a few parts of this amazing blue planet: Canada, Mexico, Japan, Netherlands, France, UK, and Singapore. I have loved every opportunity to visit a new country and experience first hand the culture, food and history. I guess all those years of reading National Geographic magazines as a kid set the travel bug deeply. And I am SO glad it did!! (Thanks, Mom & Dad!!)

I am married to a handsome, incredible guy, have four great kids, three hilarious dogs, am actively involved in my community by supporting and working with organizations that promote education, access to healthcare, and improving food security.  I am a Board Member of Moja Tu,  a member of the Rotary, and I plan to improve my Spanish by July 2014.