10 green groups seek to whet appetites with 'Earth Dinner'

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Care for a slice of mud pie or a little dirty rice, perhaps?

A coalition of 10 environmental groups is pushing "Earth Dinner," billed as a "new national holiday" and a touchy-feely alternative to the traditional Thanksgiving meal.

"Move over, Thanksgiving. Just in time for Earth Day, America is sprouting a powerful new holiday tradition," the groups said in a statement issued yesterday, calling the dinner a "paradigm-breaking feast," among other things.

But things may not be quite so down-home. The event could be more a promotion of political advocacy than an innocent opportunity for heartfelt family time.

"People are hungry for meaningful rituals that emphasize community over commerce. The Earth Dinner provides an opportunity for deeper connection," said a statement by Theresa Marquez, billed as the "Earth Dinner creator."

But Mrs. Marquez happens to be the president of Massachusetts-based Organic Center for Education and Promotion, a year-old nonprofit group established by the Organic Trade Association in 2002.

The center has pledged to raise $1 million in donations this year "to provide consumers, health care professionals and public officials with credible, peer-reviewed scientific information about the organic benefit," according to a statement posted online.

In addition, Mrs. Marquez is spokeswoman for Wisconsin-based Organic Valley, North America's largest organic farmers' cooperative and supplier of more than 100 organic food products, including milk, eggs, cheese and even premium sirloin steak.

They count the Environmental Media Association as an official partner, noting that the "EMA mobilizes the entertainment industry in a global effort to educate people about environmental issues and inspire them into action."

Suggestions for Earth Dinner at the official Web site (www.earthdinner.org) include shopping lists and recipes based on "earth, water, air and fire," as well as ideas for "traditions" that included mealtime advocacy topics such as acid rain and global warming, and admonitions "to educate friends and family."

One directive suggested, "Share information and ideas from your favorite [nongovernmental organization] or environmental group."

Mrs. Marquez maintains that "Earth Dinner will help us get back in touch with where our food comes from. Our simple everyday food purchases have a huge impact on the health of Earth and our personal health."

But the dinner is not the only Earth Day activity that may be losing its earthiness.

Earth Pledge, a Manhattan-based group that advocates eco-minded "sustainability," is offering a consumer sweepstakes with prizes that include $1,200 in kitchen appliances from the upscale manufacturer Bosch, dinner at the swank restaurant Windows and three nights in the tony Tribeca Grand Hotel.

In addition, jet-setting luminaries who have "signed on to support Earth Pledge's vision of a greener, more sustainable city" include New York Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton and Rep. Charles B. Rangel, both New York Democrats, actor Edward Norton and Robert Kennedy Jr.