“I wish this was around when I was a kid,” Al Roker said about Spoons Across America. “I might not have had to have that gastric bypass!” He was honored at the SAA gala, co-chaired by Board VP Katherine Gage Boulud and President Jeff Bank.

Martha Stewart, chefs Daniel Boulud, Eric Ripert, José Andrés, Dominique Ansel, George Mendes, Stefano Secchi and Vikas Khanna and model Helena Christensen were there to support. Chef Mawa McQueen was also honored.

SAC teaches young children healthy eating habits. It’s mission, Katherine Boulud’s passion. “This is the first time in history we’ve been both obese and malnourished at the same time,” she told me. “The food we’re eating is so nutrient poor, it’s only adding empty calories. Most people born after 1980 get 75% of their daily diet from ultra-processed foods, packed with additives and toxic food dyes. Even our medicines are full of dyes.”

“We can’t Ozempic our way out of this,” she told the room. “There’s no miracle shot, no quick fix. You can’t outrun your fork— and you can’t just medicate your way to good health.”

“I remember a time when … we were quite proud that sugar was in our breakfast cereals,” Roker told the room. “We advertised it with names like Sugar Frosted Flakes and Sugar Pops …. I would beg for more. After all, Tony the Tiger says they’re great …. So, this organization is doing God’s work.”

It might seem an overwhelming task to turn America’s food culture around. But, Katherine says approach it one step at a time. “Like AA, the first step is admitting there’s a problem,” she told me. “Our children are our future. As I say about language, teach them young and practice often. It’s such a shame to be shoving ultra-processed food on kids when they’re barely out of the womb.”

Don’t shove healthy foods on them either! Forcing it will only backfire. Let kids enjoy heathy food in a relaxed, happy setting. “Eat your vegetables, they’re good for you” is so 1950s. That’s where Spoons comes in. When children learn about nutrition at a Spoon school program, it becomes their idea.

Martha Stewart certainly cares about healthy food. “I like supporting groups like this that are related to the food world, my world, that do so many good things,” she told me. During cocktails, Stewart held court on one end of the room, BFF Sue Magrino at her side. Spanish Chef José Andrés came over with a specially procured glass of Champagne. “José and I are best friends launching a crazy cooking competition show Mondays at 10 PM on NBC (premiering April 28),” Martha told me. “I think everyone will get a kick out of it.”

Martha’s an icon for those who also want to keep moving forward and looking great. “I have two mottos,” said Stewart. “When you’re through changing, you’re through. And: learn something new every day. Live by that and you will do very well.”

Spoons for America is also doing very well. “In the last 3 months, 10 states have passed food policy legislation such as removing harmful, unregulated ingredients from the food supply, as well as soda and candy from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP),” Katherine told the room. “This was accomplished through grassroots advocacy. And just yesterday, HHS announced a nationwide ban on artificial food dyes by the end of 2026.”

“Let’s keep stirring things up,” she concluded. “And don’t forget to come to the after party!”