Fun ways to fight hunger and health-code violators and otherwise eat well.

Start with dessert: Head for Huckleberry Hill, the sprawling and pristine Monterey pine playground above Veterans Park (tinyurl.com/huckle) to seek out the berries that give the nature preserve its name – and ink teeth, lips and fingers with wild purple juices.

Later harvest the now-booming heirlooms for a caprese salad, snip lavendar for lemonade, hit the farmers markets for sand dabs and asparagus.

Actually, it doesn’t matter how you do it. But when you do host your super-fresh dinner party or potluck in September – Hunger Awareness Month – make it a feel-good boost for The Food Bank of Monterey County.

Calculating that their traditional “Dining Out, Helping Out” fall fundraiser – in which participating local restaurants donated 10 percent of their receipts – would be darkened by the economy’s partial eclipse of the restaurant industry, the FBMC is empowering people to host their own informal benefits as part of what it’s calling “Dining With Friends.” Those willing to put together an anti-hunger hoedown can receive a simple host kit by calling 758-1523, and then roll out some goodies for friends who kick in a modest donation. The FBMC then catalyzes that cash, amplifying each dollar donated into $7 worth of staple foodstuffs for the area’s underfed.

Food bank officials tell me they’ve heard of crab feeds, picnics in the park and pasta parties popping up – and stand ready with other suggestions should anyone seek one.

For a DWF experiment of my own, I floated a deadline-night deal past my committed colleagues: a sampling of wild huckleberries and whipped cream for $1. The response: I’m outta berries and the Food Bank’s got money coming.

Monterey County Health Department’s John Ramirez knows where he likes to eat: “Wherever my wife tells me,” he says.

Now Ramirez and his better half (and all of Monterey County) can hold their favorite flavor destinations accountable on their cleanliness by logging on to the department’s website (http://tinyurl.com/healthdept) and punching in the name of the eatery of interest.

“The intended purpose,” Ramirez says, “is that anyone who wanted to have information on their favorite restaurant can have it, so the general public can make an informed choice.”

The information also works as a powerful incentive for restaurants to quickly address any health and sanitation issues, like hot and cold holding temperatures or hand-washing. I found the site easy to use, albeit a little jarring, though many unnerving violations are quickly remedied. Ramirez also says the department is happy to answer any questions by e-mail (414-RestaurantInspections@co.monterey.ca.us) or phone (755-4508), which helps soften any shocks.

Another related item to look out for: the Gold Inspection Seal, awarded to restaurants that voluntarily aim for higher standards of compliance and maintain them over time. Keep an eye out for the shiny wooded plaque posted on the premises of ship-shape operations, or the gold stamp next to the restaurant name on the website.

A pair of new affordable nosh-spots have nested in New Monterey. One of the area’s best international food purveyors has quietly established an outpost with Ambrosia India Cafe (324-4852) at 625 Cannery Row next to Bullwacker’s, with a mini version of the lunch and delicious dinner action that earned their Monterey bistro (641-0610) the Weekly’s readers Best Indian Restaurant in Monterey County vote for the last two years. Wraps ($7.95-$9.95) include four different kinds of kathi; bowls range from pepper lamb to sweet ‘n’ sour basa ($6.95-$9.95); and one-, two – and three-item combos run $6.95, $7.95 and $8.95.

American Burger (373-7573), meanwhile, has been open a couple of months across from Gianni’s on Lighthouse: half-pound burgers, a few salads, five pastas, a few different beers and wines, and [June 18 edible-ballons!] horchata.

When it comes to gathering evidence of a higher power, I reach for hot sauce. The most divine I’ve tried in some time – and this comes from a humanoid going on two decades of Tapatío dependency – appeared from a place I didn’t expect it: a kitchen in Carmel. Brophy’s Tavern (624-2476) offers a roasted garlic hot sauce as one of several treatments for the Birdie Gallery, a selection of chicken sandwiches. I asked for it on the side with a fresh tuna melt this weekend and, in a word, man. Chef José Jimenez is onto something. From here on out I’ll order it with whatever I get there – for dipping fries, spicing chowder, accenting sandwiches, bathing burgers, you name it. I may bathe in it myself later… Rootstock: A Concert in the Vines ripens at Scheid Vineyards in Greenfield Saturday, Sept. 12: barbecue, Geoffrey Rutledge, CoCoBeat and the standout Sheid wines. $55-$65, 386-0316… Pink Poker Night – a women-only culinary scholarship fundraiser starring cards, spa and restaurant prizes, cocktails, buffet dinner and an all-male staff – is coming up at the cool Cannery Row venue that is Culinary Center on Sept. 19, 333-2133… Ladies, ladies, please.