The language of food is that of virtue and damnation, as in "I'll be good tomorrow!" or "What sinful fudge!" Personally, I think it's all a plot to make us feel bad and eat more olestra; St. Peter will not care about that chocolate you ate on a "bad" day. Then again, if the chocolate's proceeds went to charity -- well, in that case, he might move you to the front of the line. Here, a sampling of truly Good foods:

The PeaceWorks
PeaceWorks' Mediterranean- and southwestern-inspired condiments -- some called "sprates" ("spread" + "pate") -- are the products of cooperation between peoples who, traditionally, are otherwise lousy neighbors. The story: when visiting Israel, founder Daniel Lubetsky fell in love with a sundried-tomato spread and convinced its Jewish manufacturer to let him market it in the U.S. in partnership with Arab growers. Says Lubetsky: "When people are economically interdependent, working side by side, they see how much they have in common, and how little reason there is to fight." Peaceworks also offers salsas and vinaigrettes produced by a Mexican-American cooperative. 5% of proceeds support tolerance-promoting organizations. Available in gourmet groceries, at Foodworks, Dino's Sandwiches, Cafe Mozart, Pommes Frites, and Zabar's Deli in NYC, and at The Ventura in Sherman Oaks, California.

Me, me, ME! How can I get involved? What can I do to help? Is that all you can think about? Well, we're glad! So go ahead and use your gluttony to help others at these events: Event: Dinner by Keith Luce When: Mon., Sept. 22 Where: Spruce, Chicago, IL For info, call: Spruce: 312-642-3757 Event: Dinner by Norman Van Aken When: Wed., Sept. 24 Where: Norman's, Coral Gables, FL For info, call: Norman's: 305-446-6767 Event: Dinner by Nancy Oakes When: Sun., Oct. 12 Where: Boulevard, San Francisco, CA For info, call: Boulevard: 415-543-6084 Event: Dinner by Mark Tarbell When: Tues., Nov. 18 Where: Tarbell's, Phoenix, AZ For info, call: Tarbell's: 602-955-8100 Foundation: Women Chefs and Restaurateurs Event: Book-signing and reception for Marcella Hazan's new book, Marcella Cucina; 5-course dinner When: Wed., Sept. 24 Where: Reception: Sur La Table/Maiden Lane, Dinner: Scala's Bistro, San Francisco, CA For info, call: Reservations: 415-362-7336

Urban Herbals
When Urban Herbals are on your table, another kid is off the street. These organic seasoned vinegars and fruit jams, a venture of the San Francisco League of Urban Gardeners (SLUG), is run from the ground up -- literally -- by 12 young adults, many of whom used to know their way around a prison a lot better than they did an organic garden. Now they run everything from fruit-mashing to label-making to marketing and distribution. Signature concoctions include kicking kiwi jam and chili-seared tarragon vinegar; salsas are up next. Available by mail (415-285-SLUG), in San Francisco gourmet stores, and at Delancey Street and Plump Jack Cafe.

Suzanne's Sensationals
Suzanne Locklear has surplus energy and compassion -- not to mention cooking talent --and yep, she's bottled them. After her second breast cancer diagnosis, Locklear launched Suzanne's Sensationals salad dressings -- with $1/case earmarked for breast cancer research. "I always had to make extra dressing for parties because people demanded it for their vegetables and bread, too," says Locklear. Her honey mustard scored a 1997 Muir Award; forthcoming flavors include raspberry-walnut, ginger-garlic, and a fruit-essenced tropical teriyaki. Available in the northwest or at 800-657-7449.

Newman's Organics
Lemonade, shmemonade; now there's chocolate. Newman's very own daughter Nell has followed up her pretzel debut with rainforestically-correct chocolate bars. 100% of after-tax profits go to several charities.

Giordano's Flavor Starters
Lesley Giordano's seasoned canola-olive oil blends (garlic, oriental, southwestern) pack mad flavor into stir-fries, dressings, and marinades -- and support the Food Industry Crusade Against Hunger, as well as Oakland's Henry Robinson Center for young single moms.

City Harvest, Angel Harvest
The Harvest organizations redistribute leftovers from restaurants, caterers, and stores to emergency food programs -- so New Yorkers, Angelenos, and folks all over America can eat at restaurants like Rosemarie's (and hundreds of others) knowing that their service reaches beyond their dining rooms.

All in all, life is good when sitting down to a scrumptious meal counts as a charitable act. But beware: this still doesn't mean that your trip to Nobu can be counted as a tax writeoff ... at least, not yet.