GFP Logp 
Recipe of the Month

  

Grilled Vegetable Pasta Salad 

  

Ingredients:

  • 1/2 lb baby zucchini, halved 
  • 1/2 lb eggplant, cut into 1/3"- thick rounds
  • 1/2 red onions, cut into  1/4"- thick slices  
  •  1/2 lb cellentani or rotini  
  • 1/2 cup basil pesto
  • 3 tbsp sliced, dry-packed sun-dried tomatoes
  • 3 tbsp pine nuts, toasted

 

Directions:  

1. Prepare lightly oiled grill for medium heat (or use grill pan). Coat zucchini, eggplant, and onions on both sides with olive oil spray, and season with salt and pepper to taste. Grill vegetables (in batches if necessary), turning, until golden brown and tender, about 6 minutes.

2. Transfer to cutting board and cut into bite-size pieces.

3. Cook pasta per package directions.

4. Drain and immediately toss in serving bowl with pesto, tomatoes, and grilled vegetables. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Sprinkle with pine nuts.

Some of the LC FreshWOMEN hard at work
Getting rid of those nasty weeds
-- Thank You --
 The Good Food Project earnestly thanks the following businesses and individuals for their support in providing plants, supplies or services for the community garden.
 
Lowes
Linda Tulley   
Garden Path & Stone Center
Austin Ag Supply  
Ricky Melder
Henry Tree Surgery
LC Freshmen Volunteers
Fads & Frames 
Petrus Feed and Seed  
What Our Garden Needs
 The following items are needed to enhance our community garden.
 
 Manure
Compost
Leaves   
Please contact us at [email protected]
 or 318-445-2773 if you are able to donate any of these items.
 
Thank You! 
What You Can Plant
This Month

Cabbage
Carrots
Swiss Chard
Lettuce
English Peas
Pumpkins
Radishes
Turnips   
Sustainable Garden
  Tip of the Month  

Some plants have natural properties that help others grow and deter pests when planted close by. Making use of these natural properties is a way to increase production in the garden and fit more plants into a smaller space. One plant in particular that is low maintenance and easy to grow is the onion. Onions can be planted freely throughout the garden but help keep pests away from cabbages, broccoli, tomatoes, strawberries, peppers, cucumbers and more. Intercropping a few with all of these plants can greatly reduce garden pests.  

 

Sprout

Good Food Project Garden News

 

September 2012

"All gardeners live in beautiful places because they make them so." Unknown 

  Volunteer of the Month

 

On August 29, 2005- a date that our state will never forget- Hurricane Katrina made landfall ravaging the Gulf Coast, and forever changing our region. Although many were able to evacuate before the storm devastated its path, some remained trapped in the city. And for the Crescent City native, Warren Eggerson, that was the case. "You know I laughed at my family, as they were packing to leave the city, when they told me to get in the attic if the water got too high. I never thought it would come to that," Warren remembered. Unfortunately, however, it did. Warren was faced with a frightening decision while sitting in his attic watching the water rise: either go under water to try and find the door or break out of the roof. He opted for the latter. Warren spent three days on his roof alone with no food or water...waiting. "I found out how valuable food is that's for sure," he said.

 

With the foundation of his security upended-relatives and friends scattered or missing, clothes and pictures gone, neighborhoods obliterated-Warren, like many citizens from across the region, found himself in shelters and the homes of relatives in unfamiliar towns. For him, that town was Alexandria with his sister and brother-in-law. "I never got my life back after the storm," Warren explained. "I missed my family and friends. And I got so depressed."

 

Soon enough, however, Warren was embraced by members of our small community and made to feel right at home. Living close to St. Michaels Episcopal Church, he often frequented their thrift shop for social visits when owners Frances Boudreaux and Rene Alewine, more of our incredible volunteers, gave him work doing odd-jobs around the store. They quickly realized what a strong, hard worker Warren was and offered him more work. "Before I knew it, they had me helping them in their yards, putting together flower arrangements, and building all sorts of things," Warren said. "But it's also the first time I was introduced to gardening."

 

"Coming from the city, I wasn't used to picking weeds or digging holes. And being in the heat!" Warren explained. "But being out there and seeing it grow blew my mind." Warren caught the gardening bug fast and now considers his green thumb "top notch". And thankfully the GFP garden has his talents to look forward to every week. Frances Boudreaux introduced Warren to the Good Food Project where he is able to learn more about the art and better his new found skill. He also views it as a way for him to give back to the community that took him in under such grieving circumstances. Since Katrina, Warren has been a client of the Food Bank where he is able to receive a box of food that he shares with his sister. "Thinking about what the Food Bank does for me, I want to give back because I know there are people out there that are struggling," Warren said.

 

For such a tragic event to occur in his life, Warren has such a positive outlook and brings with him a sense of joy. We are extremely grateful for the hard work he has put in to making the garden look the way it does. His eagerness to learn and help others is truly inspirational. Warren is one of a kind, and I enjoy working beside him in the garden!

Calling All Garden Enthusiasts!

 Do you have your own organic garden and can teach us a trick or two? Or maybe your passion is chickens or nutritional cooking? Let us know! We are looking for local experts to teach some of our Organic Gardening and Sustainable Living Workshops. Call or email us if you are interested!
 

Before

After

A group of 330 Louisiana College freshman graced the Food Bank of Central Louisiana with their presence bright and early on Friday, August 17th for their 5th annual LC Day of Care. Excited and eager to work, about 60 of those volunteers stepped into the garden wide- eyed and surprised by the sight before them. It's no secret that our garden, like many others, became victim to the hot, summer days that brought weeds , dead plants, and empty beds along with it. Needless to say, GFP Director, Lori Garton, had been anxiously awaiting their arrival all week. These new Wildcats had their work cut out for them, and work they did. From pulling weeds to planting seeds, they worked for 5 hours straight- well, with a pizza break thrown in of course. A long list of perfectly planned out tasks were awarded to these newly oriented freshman. Close to the top of that list enabled several of the students' involvement with the building of the chicken coop. Drip irrigation was set up, beds were replaced, seed packets were counted, mulch and pine bark were raked onto paths, and produce was harvested. In just a few short hours, the garden was transformed from an overgrown jungle-like space, to a newly cleaned, trimmed, and beautified area. We are very grateful for Louisiana College's involvement in the community and are truly appreciative for the hard work these students displayed here with us. Hope to see you back next year! 


 Love their "dirty" thumbs-up!

Join us for WORKDAY WEDNESDAY every week from 7am to 12pm! All adults and children are invited to come out for a fun day of learning and giving back to the CENLA community.
Let's grow together!

FeaturedFoundation Logo Article
What action, if any, do you want your members to take? Add a "Find out more" link to additional information that you may have hosted on your website.