FRESH New London Newsletter
Spring 2010

Spring 2010 - FRESH Update 
garden 2 It is the first of April and things are really growing at FRESH!  We planted our first seeds a month ago in the greenhouse, but that's just the tip of the iceberg.  We have been making presentations to civic organizations and funders all winter, and one point we always make is that farming is a year round enterprise.  First of all, the growing season is not June to August; we in the Northeast will come much closer to a strong local food system when we embrace and learn more about the agricultural activities that we can undertake throughout the year.

Nonetheless, the biggest harvest from the dead of winter will always be plans! We have made some and are starting to put them into action.  This year at the farm we will [listed in no particular order here]: finally get our irrigation system fully functional; bring electricity to the farm; hire our first [seasonal] adult staff dedicated to the farm- MaryKate Glenn is coming from out west just to work for us, she will be here mid April and we are excited and honored to have her coming our way!; experiment with 'low tunnels' (four foot wide by two foot high 'greenhouses' which we can fabricate ourselves and use for season extension in our fields); work hard to incorporate more volunteers in our operation; and grow for both an expanded mission driven distribution as well as to generate more of our own revenue through vending and added-value products.

Of course, the FRESH Farm is only one of our projects, albeit one that this time of year takes a lot of attention.  Also on tap right now is the final phase of development of our Community Garden Center at Williams and Mercer in New London.  This site is already hosting hundreds of gardeners, NLPS students and community members.  Last year we built a wood fired pizza oven on the site.  We are currently building a pavilion as an outdoor classroom and place for repose.  Also planned are additional garden beds, a small orchard and other perennial plantings around the border, a greenhouse and I hope a chicken coop, if we can get permission from the city!  Keeping chickens is about as effective a way to pursue food security as there is:  You can feed chickens scraps and weeds and they give you complete protein: eggs.  And in the same amount of time it takes to grow a head of lettuce from seed (~56 days) you can grow a one day old chick into a 5 pound broiler!  Now that's a process more of us need to know about!

There really is a lot more I would like to tell everyone about FRESH today- but most of it is still in formation, is based on partner relationships, is complex and makes for hard to read prose!  The bottom line for much of what we are pursuing, beyond our on-going programs about which I hope you are by now familiar, is "Culinary"!  Student surveys tell us clearly that young people want to get into the kitchen.  And our common sense tells us that there is no single skill that is more crucial to food security on an individual or family level than cooking.  It's good to know how to grow a seed or compost; if you want to eat healthy affordable food, it is crucial that you know how to cook!  We are currently working with partners, building relationships, identifying resources and exploring possibilities around growing our culinary programs.  We don't yet know exactly what our next steps will look like, but we know we are moving in that direction.  Please be in touch soon if you are going that way too, maybe we can walk together!  

FRESH: The E is for Education 
The New London Public Schools (NLPS) have been one of our most important partners since day one.  We have worked hard to build models and develop sites in order to bring experiential education for stewardship and health to all NLPS students, integrate this learning into the academic day, and create dynamic service-learning opportunities in which young people become an integral part of the transformation of our food system.  Currently, our Lead Educator, Anique Wiggins, is working with hundreds of NLPS students at multiple sites: giving them a chance to get dirty and build gardens with their classrooms. 

bioneersRecently, the New London Board of Education endorsed the work that we are doing with an official resolution which confirmed "its strong support of the use of school grounds to build community gardens to be used as living classrooms for experiential education in conjunction with our curriculum for our students and school families."  The resolution went on to say that the Board  "support[s] our community partner, FRESH New London, and their work with appropriate New London Public School staff in identifying specific sites and developing programs for the benefit of our students and our community at large."  With this clear support we are moving forward to identify resources and build programs throughout the city.

Our programs give students access to fresh snacks, as well as experiences and educational modes that are not found in a traditional classroom model.  Pam Strollo, a 1st Grade teacher in New London says: " My first graders love FRESH!  Last year the children were brightened up by turning the soil, looking for worms and learning about why worms are GOOD!   They were joyous to see their seeds emerge as little plants and then taste the fresh lettuce and pea pods.  They watch as the beans climbed the fence.  And when we read Jack and the Beanstalk, they had a real life experience to connect to the imaginary story.  They loved the walk to the garden.  We would stop to look at the flowers and trees as they changed through the season.  Wonderful! This year the Ms. Anique did a fabulous lesson, read the CARROT SEED, and then showed the children seed catalogues.  They got to plan a garden on paper.  They look forward to planting! Thank you FRESH!"

Another NLPS teacher, Mr. McGuire, reports that "The FRESH program is a wonderful hands on educational experience that incorporates curriculum goals and state standards to teach students 
skills they will be able to use their whole lives. All of the children always look forward to the next time they get to go to the FRESH garden. It is a very worthwhile program!"

Also new in 2010:  Anique has delivered our first ever Professional Development training sessions to NLPS faculty this spring.  We are excited to help our partners develop capacity to deliver our curriculum and make productive use of the sites we develop.  These efforts build greater sustainability for our efforts and deepen the impact that we are able to have.  This is always a goal at FRESH: to build capacity and resources in order to broaden our reach and expand this movement throughout the region.

We at FRESH are very thankful for all of our partners in NLPS; from teachers and staff, administrators and Board members, the relationships are well rooted and are starting to bear fruit!

In the coming weeks, we will hold our first [of many] "Family Farm Day" at Waterford Country School and a "Let's Finish the Garden Day" to complete the new Winthrop Elementary/Shoreline Academy Garden.  Flyers will be sent home with students of all schools who participate with FRESH. We hope to see you there!    

A Fresh Food System Literacy Curriculum
By Jessica Cartagena, FRESH Community Organizer bioneers
During the fall, I developed a Food System Literacy Curriculum designed to educate the current & new youth about how the food system works. The curriculum consists of seven training lessons.

The content includes:

  • A 2-Part Introduction to Understanding Food Systems: introducing the concepts of Food systems, Industrial Agriculture, Sustainable Agriculture and how FRESH is trying to make change in our local food system
  • Pyramid of Power- Power in our Society, and how the media & the Fast Food Industry collaborate to influence us
  • Seeds & Genetically Modified Organisms and how Global Capitalism is influencing how our seeds and food are produced.
  • Media and the Fast Food Industry
  • Dairy/Meat/ Poultry: Knowing your meat
  • Water, Soda & Sweeteners and their effects on the Human Body

Working on the curriculum was very challenging because I had no idea what the end result would look like.  Now that it's completed, I feel a sense of relief, pride, and accomplishment.  This curriculum is rich with valuable information that can be used over and over again. Besides teaching the curriculum to the returning youth this spring, my goal is to have them pass the knowledge on by educating the new youth hired for the summer of 2010. The youth will learn to facilitate and teach the lessons with my help. Youth teaching youth is very powerful experience on both ends. Youth seem to react differently when they are following direction from one another; it brings power back to their voices and fosters a belief in themselves that they have something important to share. I'm very excited that the Youth Crew Members are back at work for the spring. I'm extremely proud of all their accomplishments and am looking forward to seeing what work they will do this spring, summer and beyond.

Jessica Cartagena has been a part of FRESH since May 2006, first as a Youth Crew Member for three years, then on the Staff since September 2008.  Jessica is currently a member of the 2009-2010 CT Public Allies Class; serving her ten-month placement with FRESH New London.  Jessica spends one day/week learning and working with 32 other young people committed to learning the skills to make positive social change in their communities (www.publicallies.org).

FRESH Market Update
The FRESH Market is growing in 2010!  As interest and demand for fresh vegetables grows in the community, FRESH is responding by expanding the activities of the FRESH Market.  We will continue running the Mobile Market, making direct sales in neighborhoods throughout New London, on our Monday and Thursday routes (the 2010 schedule will be posted soon).  This year, we will be expanding our Pre-Order Partnerships with New London agencies, in an effort to get more fresh vegetables to more people.  The Pre-Order Program partners FRESH with NL agencies who organize weekly orders from their clients for pre-packaged bags of seasonal produce; bags are priced at $5 (a $10-15 value).  We will also continue to grow our Bodega Partnerships, selling our produce on consignment in corner grocery stores in New London.  Look out for our produce at a store near you!

And introducing in 2010 - the FRESH Farm Stand @ the FRESH Community Garden Center!  On Tuesdays, we will be selling our fresh, vibrant veggies for our low prices.  Look out for more information soon!

FRESH as been working with the Nutrition Workgroup of the ACHIEVE Initiative, led by Ledge Light Health District, to expand opportunities for New London residents to access healthy nutritional options.  A big thank you to the ACHIEVE team and the Nutrition Workgroup for their efforts and assistance in helping FRESH expand the reach of the FRESH Market in 2010.

Community Gardening 2010 Update garden
The Gardening season is starting off strong in New London as the interest in Community Gardening keeps growing!!

The Community Garden beds of the FRESH Community Garden are full of returning and new gardeners and the gardens at the Gemma Moran Food Center are almost full! 

A community effort is underway to open a new Community Garden at Calkins Park.  A group of motivated community members are working hard to raise funds, organize the neighborhood and gather materials to open a new garden this spring! 

Existing Gardens at the Williams Apartments (127 Hempstead St.) and at St. Francis House are getting some TLC and new attention as they reopen for 2010.

FRESH is working with the Community Harvest Network, a TVCCA-funded county-wide initiative, to support new Community Gardening efforts.  FRESH is always available to groups throughout the area who are currently gardening or interested in beginning a new effort.

Food Journey
By Chelsea Cleveland
People think when you eat outside the norm it is automatically unhealthy for you. This can be the case if you aren't properly educated on what your body needs and how to get it.  I wasn't educated on it even when I dramatically changed what I ate. I became a vegan a few years ago and prior to that I was a vegetarian but throughout my life I hadn't liked vegetables so I didn't know how it was going to work. I read up on how to eat and I knew the basic facts but didn't actively apply them to my life. I didn't know how to cook delicious, healthy vegan meals and had little to no motivation to even try. I didn't know my way around my own kitchen and wasn't equipped with any culinary skills other than eating up frozen pizza. I came to volunteer at FRESH last spring and the impact this place has had on me is huge. I started gardening at the community garden and my efforts produced vegetables that I could eat! It was miraculous but I was clueless as to what to do. I didn't truly experiment with cooking and eating better until I went to a commune in Tennessee. I was their gardening intern, and while the interning was a bit of a bust, I learned to love good food. At home I never felt satisfied with what I ate but at the commune I ate awesome meals cooked from fresh produce every single day. I came home determined to continue with what I had grown used to for a month. Ever since then I have learned my way around the kitchen and I get excited about buying vegetables and other food staples like rice, beans, and spices. This growing season I am pumped up to grow my own food again but this time I'll be able to utilize what I grow with my new found skills.  Not only did FRESH spark my interest in eating and growing food but they have also inspired me to educate myself on the food system so I know where my food is coming from, who benefits and doesn't within the food industry, and how I can become empowered to fight for a better system. My food journey is still in its infancy stages but it's a journey that will grow and last my entire life.

Chelsea Cleveland, 21 years old, is a native of New London and graduate of New London High School.  Chelsea worked as a volunteer in the spring of 2009, and was hired for the summer of 2009 to assist with FRESH Educational Programs.  Chelsea is back this spring, working with the FRESH Educational Programs and sharing her growing knowledge about gardening, healthy cooking and the food system. 

What I've Learned @ FRESH
By Nondi Southerland 
My name is Nondi Southerland, and I am 17 years old. I started working at FRESH New London in the summer of 2009. When I first started working at FRESH, I wasn't aware how important or what their work was all about. The main reason I had applied at FRESH was because I really wanted my first summer job. I had planned to make money for school supplies for the new school year and to buy other things I wanted for myself. I learned that FRESH is trying to help change the food system and that all the foods FRESH grow and harvest are natural and organic. I never knew there was a difference between organic fruits and vegetables and non-organic. I trusted it was all the same healthy thing. I also learned the food sold in grocery stores and bodegas is not as fresh as they claim. I never knew that there are farms that use chemical pesticides and herbicides instead of letting their fruits and vegetables grow naturally. Overall, I learned that FRESH New London is also trying to bring agriculture to the community. I understand the message that FRESH is trying to send to the community and because of all that I've learned and will continue to learn I have started to change my eating habits. I have thought about buying organic foods for my home, but I haven't done it yet. The main reason I haven't bought organic food for my home is because my family members usually oppose buying organic foods because of the higher prices. Most of my family would rather have the frozen vegetables from grocery stores and regular food with lower prices, than have fresh vegetables and other organic foods that are healthier. I hope to change that this year.
Volunteers: Part of the Heartbeart of FRESH New London bioneers
 
Volunteers assist with every aspect of FRESH New London and are part of our success!  Volunteers have helped us with building and growing gardens, cultivating the FRESH Farm, fundraising efforts, planning events, writing articles, driving the FRESH Market bus, mentoring teens, teaching culinary skills, helping kids learn in the garden, and just about anything else you can imagine! 

If you would like to get involved with FRESH, please visit our website www.freshnewlondon.org or call us (860) 444-8050 ext.14. 

We send a big thank you to all those who have volunteered to help FRESH work over the years, but we would like to give a particular Shout-Out to Bob Stuller, volunteer extraordinaire!  Bob has served as the FRESH Webmaster for five years, constantly updating and improving our website.  Bob has assisted with all manners of technology support and outreach efforts.  Bob is never afraid to roll up his sleeves ad get his hands dirty, shoveling mountains of woodchips to drive to various locations in his old red truck, constructing compost bins out of recycled wood pallets, and being part of the new Calkins Park Community Garden.  Thank you, Bob, for sharing your myriad talents with FRESH and helping make our organization tick! 

 

FRESH Community Garden 2010 Workshop Schedule

Saturday, April 24 (Raindate: Sun, 4/25), 2:00 - 3:30 pm

"Grow Green - Eat Clean!" led by Linda Turner, Plantasia (www.plantasiact.com)

 

Saturday, May 22 (Rain or Shine), 10:00 - 3:00 pm

1st Annual FRESH Plant Sale - Organically grown FRESH vegetable, herb and flower starts for sale!!

- 11:00 - 12:00 -"Gardening with Kids" led by Anique Wiggins, FRESH Educator

- 1:00 - 2:00 - "Herb Gardening" led by Susan Munger, Master Gardener

 

Saturday, June 19 (Rain Or Shine), 10:00 - 11:30

Optimizing Space in your Raised Beds, led by Peter Moore, Master Gardener

 

Sunday, July 18 (Rain Or Shine), 3:30 - 5:00

Organic Insect and Disease Control, led by Petie Reed, Perennial Harmony

 

Saturday, August 7 (Rain Date Sun, Aug 8), 3:30 - 5:30

Walking Tour of Neighborhood Gardens, starts and ends at the FRESH Community Garden Center.  Followed by a Potluck Dinner.

 

Saturday, September 4 (Rain Or Shine), 2:00 - 3:30

Season Extension Techniques, led by Peter Moore, Master Gardener

 

 

All Events are FREE and Open to the Public!

All Events are held at the FRESH Community Garden Center, corner of Williams & Mercer Sts, New London.

For more Information: call 806-444-8050 ext. 14 or www.freshnewlondon.org.