While celebrating the end of harvest season is a tradition that can be trace back for centuries , forward-looking - day twists on the custom have evolved since the 1621 Plymouth Colony fall banquet . Just as pilgrim rejoiced in their first good harvest , Americans today have notice meaningful ways to honor the bounty , and express gratitude .
1 . Give # foodthanks . Farmers long ago trade in their oxen for tractor and other engineering to raise nutritious , great - smack food . This year , a group of farmers and ranchers is cultivating a social media movement to initiate meaningful conversations about food with Americans on Twitter , Facebook , web log and beyond , says Kansas farmer Darin Grimm of the AgChat Foundation .
“ For farmers on the go , societal media is a great way to touch base with consumers , ” he says . “ We ’re hope to see everyone from chefs to foodies to husbandman using the # foodthanks hashtag . ”

To participate , check outwww.foodthanks.com , then tweet what you deplete , using the # foodthanks hashtag .
2 . contrive your repast with an app . New formula and repast - planning program are a bounty in their own right , and they ’ll facilitate you put your homegrown harvest to dear use once yourholiday houseguestsarrive . you’re able to look for them through the iTunes shop or other websites .
3 . keep the flavors of fall . Early American settlers would drool over modern - day canning equipment . Once dismissed as a gone art , canning has attracted a spring up bit of enthusiast in late years , concord to the National Center for Home Food Preservation , which provides tips on canning , pickling , freezing and more . To really make a solid food assertion , make your own labels

4 . Host a savor party . The vacation table inspire us to make treasure traditions at dwelling , admit search new foods in the party of acquaintance and family . Home entertaining expert Domenica Marchetti suggest a trend - desirable twist on the wine-coloured and cheese try party . The author ofBig Night In(Chronicle Books , 2008 ) enunciate , “ Embrace the time of year ’s bounty and host anapple - tasting company ! ”
5 . Share in the bounty . Thanksgiving is a great time to mouth with your family line about avail others in need , whether it ’s a kinsfolk down the street or a hungry child on the other side of the world . Charitable organization like Farmers feed the World , Heifer International and topically establish gleaning networks think that founder family a source of food , rather than short - full term rest , is a more sustainable way to lift them out of poverty and thirstiness .