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Good Food Project Garden News
July 2013
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Downtown Alexandria is Growing
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 If you've traveled downtown Alexandria lately, you've probably noticed a bit of a change at The Canterbury House. Actually that change covers over 1.5 acres. Yep, the Good Food Project partnered with the Canterbury House to support a resident garden. Canterbury House Executive Director Billy Allen saw the empty lot as an opportunity to give back to his community, and that's exactly what the "Downtown Farm" is doing. From squash and lettuce to beans and corn, the Canterbury House garden is nothing short of bountiful. In one day, we harvested over 40 lbs of squash that we distributed to the Food Bank clients. And there's plenty more where that came from. If you'd like to see this garden continue to thrive, we would greatly appreciate your help in the maintenance. For those interested, please contact the Good Food Project at (318) 787-6893.
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Newest Members of the GFP Team
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 We have been patiently awaiting the arrival of some happy laying hens, and they are finally here! Cindy Mandarino of Natchitoches was gracious enough to donate 4 of her favorite chickens to the Good Food Project, and we couldn't be more thrilled to take them under our wing (pun intended). Since the chickens have made a home with us at the beginning of June, they have laid over 5 dozen beautiful blue, green, and brown eggs. So who's been enjoying these fresh eggs? They are put to good use by Mrs. Jessie Sutton, Coordinator of the Pineville Senior Center, who claims they are the "best eggs I have ever tasted." Want to learn more about backyard chickens? Visit us at the GFP for a first-hand look! |
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Our gardens grow with a lot of help from volunteers and donations from wonderful supporters. Below is a list of items that are needed for the GFP to continue to flourish:
- Plastic Buckets/Tubs for harvesting
- Garden Tools- shovels, rakes, hand trowels, etc
- Trailer
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 Tomatoes! Squash! Cucumbers! Oh my! The Demonstration Garden is flourishing beautifully with the colors of summer, and extra hands are needed to help with the harvest. Bottles of water will be provided to keep you nice and hydrated! Each Wednesday from 7am- 12pm all adults and children are invited to come out for a fun day of learning and giving back to the community. Let's grow together! Learn more.If Wednesday's aren't good for you, call us to set up another volunteer day! 318-787-6893 |
Second Saturday Market 
Get ready fresh veggies fans! The Alexandria Museum of Art will be starting a Community Table at the July Second Saturday Market THIS Saturday the 13th. The Community Table is an opportunity for home growers and small farmers to sell their extra produce at the Market. Something that Central Louisiana does best!
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Volunteer of the Month
 Mark Weinzettle
You know the saying, "The best things happen when you least expect it"? For us, having Mark Weinzettle dedicate is summer to the Good Food Project was as far from our radar as it gets. Nevertheless, we were beaming with joy when he explained his interest in learning about sustainable agriculture and asked to join our team for the summer months. Mark couldn't have arrived at a more perfect moment. We have had our hands quite full with preparing school gardens for the summer, starting up after-school programs, and planning for new garden sites. On June 12th, Mark jumped right in to the action and hasn't looked back (yet). An Alexandria native and engineering student at Louisiana Tech, one of Mark's goals is to serve in the Peace Corps, which brought him to the Good Food Project. "I wanted to gain agriculture experience prior to my service with the Peace Corps," Mark says. "I know every little bit helps."
From cultivation practices and pest management to back yard chickens and square foot gardening, Mark is making his way to become an organic gardener extraordinaire. Aside from assisting the GFP Demonstration Garden, Mark has tagged along at a few of our off-site gardens as well, including the Boys & Girls Club, YMCA, and Pineville Youth Center. "Working with kids is the fun part," says Mark. "I'm able to teach them basic gardening techniques that may seem simple to us, but it's fascinating to them." Mark is focused on impacting peoples lives though sustainable agriculture, and being able to do that in his hometown has been a rewarding experience.
So if the whole engineering thing doesn't work out, the gardening community will welcome him with open arms. Thankful doesn't begin to describe our gratitude. Mark has done an extraordinary job, and he will do great things during his time in the Peace Corps. Looking forward to growing with him over the rest of the summer!
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