offthemenu

by Juliet Fletcher

Were Thomas Jefferson, Ben Franklin and the rest of the Founding Fathers as interested in skimmed dairy products as carving out the country's freedom? That's the word from Vermont-based cheese company Cabot, who will present a whole afternoon titled "The Liberty of Light," discussing the, er, life-changing power of light cheese. Keith-Thomas Ayoob, nutritional expert from Albert Einstein Medical Center, will discuss the wide-ranging implications of the new dietary guidelines laid down by the Department of Health and Human Services — then, since these rules advise low-fat dairy products, attendants will sit down to a Cheddar Luncheon, courtesy of Cabot. All very well, but presented at the National Liberty Museum? As Cabot urges us to "liberate your palate" and "celebrate your constitution"? Is the "sharp versus extra sharp?" debate a key First Amendment issue now?

(Wed., Feb. 23, noon-2 p.m., National Liberty Museum, 321 Chestnut St., call 866-363-1259 for more information.)

Dietary information is a hot topic this week: state Rep. Louise Bishop (D-192nd District) has once again called for the state's restaurant chains to give detailed nutritional information on the foods they serve. She's hoping for fat content, calories, sodium and carbohydrates to be posted inside the restaurant, a move that would update the 1990 Nutritional Labeling and Education Act. Currently, ingredient lists for most fast foods are available only by calling a toll-free telephone number. "Child obesity is skyrocketing, and we must make every effort to inform people of food's nutritional content so consumers can make informed decisions about what they and their children eat," Bishop said in a statement. She also pointed out a need to inform diners with specific health conditions: Those with high blood pressure, she said, must be protected from foods containing MSG or a lot of salt.

In short: Whether you like your root vegetables julienned or turned into dancing cartoon characters, you'll find kindred spirits at the Reading Terminal Market this weekend, as they launch their American Roots Festival — a celebration of winter produce, featuring cooking demonstrations and "strolling root vegetables." To coincide, the Down Home Diner will offer a first-ever "Taste of the Market" dinner, with three courses of root-vegetable dishes all prepared with market produce.

(American Roots Festival, Sat., Feb. 19, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Reading Terminal Market, 12th and Arch sts., 215-922-2317. "Taste of the Market" dinner, Thu., Feb. 17, 6-7 p.m., Down Home Diner in Reading Terminal. Call 215-627-1955 for reservations (required).)