Sprout

Good Food Project Garden Newsletter

July 2014

"The Rapides Exploratory Education House, T.R.E.E. House"

T.R.E.E. House Science Camp

The T.R.E.E. House, was established in 1998 by a group of determined parents wanting to bring a children's museum to the Cenla community.Since then, T.R.E.E. House has grown and expanded, providing fun and educational experiences for children and families. That initial spirit of community involvement and improvement is reflected in T.R.E.E. House goals as they continue to nurture them in their partnership with the Good Food Project. According to Jordan Wade, T.R.E.E. House Assistant Manager, "Having a community garden as part of the museum has provided valuable learning experiences for our guests, staff, and volunteers. Because of the garden, we have been able to incorporate lessons on horticulture into our Saturday activities and our recent Science Camp. Parents who garden are interested in what we are growing and, along with making donations to Manna House, and the Food Bank, our volunteers enjoy taking home fresh produce." The Good Food Project sees the benefits of this kind of partnership as far-reaching across Central Louisiana when individuals, volunteers, and organizations like the T.R.E.E. House want to collaborate and work together to make a difference in the community. Join us and be a part of a growing experience! For more information about the T.R.E.E. House, contact them at 318-619-9394 or visit them on the web at www.kidtreehouse.org If you are interested in being involved in this or any other worthwhile project affiliated with the Good Food Project, contact Frances Boudreaux at 318.445.2773 or via email: fboudreaux@fbcenla.org and on the web: www.goodfoodprojectcenla.org

Recipe of the Month

Ratatouille

Use all those great summer veggies for this dish!

Ingredients:

1/4 Cup olive oil (more as needed)

1 1/2 cups small diced yellow onion
1 teaspoon minced garlic
2 cups medium diced eggplant (skin on or off)

1/2 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves

1 Cup diced green bell peppers

1 Cup diced red bell peppers

1 Cup diced zucchini squash

1 1/2 Cups peeled, seeded, and chopped tomatoes

1 Tablespoon thinly sliced fresh basil leaves

Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Ratatouille - Packed with nutritious summer veggies

Directions:

Set a large 12-inch saut�' pan over medium heat and add the olive oil. Once hot, add the onions and garlic to the pan. Cook the onions, stirring occasionally, until they are wilted and lightly caramelized, about 5 to 7 minutes. Add the eggplant and thyme to the pan and continue to cook, stirring occasionally, until the eggplant is partially cooked, about 5 minutes. Add the green and red peppers, zucchini, and squash and continue to cook for an additional 5 minutes. Add the tomatoes, basil, parsley, and salt and pepper, to taste, and cook for a final 5 minutes. Stir well to blend and serve either hot or at room temperature.

In July plant:

Broccoli Seeds
Brussels Sprouts (Seeds)
Cabbage
Cauliflower
Chinese Cabbage
Okra
Peas, Southern
Bell Pepper (Seeds & Plants
Pumpkin
Rutabagas
Shallots
Summer Squash
T.R.E.E. House Campers
Tomatoes (Seed & Plants)
Watermelons

In August Plant

Beans, Bush, Lima, Snap, Pole
Beets
Broccoli
Brussels Sprouts (Seed)
Cabbage
Cantaloupes
Cauliflower
Chard, Swiss
Chinese Cabbage
Collards
Cucumbers
Kohlrabi
Lettuce
Mustard Greens
Okra
Rutabagas
Shallots
Summer Squash
Tomatoes (Seeds & Plants)
Watermelons

Garden News

We appreciate the services of TREECO who removed trees from an Alexandria city lot that was donated to the Food Bank. We will now be able to start a new community garden in an area that is a food desert. The community will gather with us on July 26th for a general clean-up day.

Ashley and 15th Street - Before

Ashley and 15th - After

Workday Wednesday

You are invited to join us at the GFP demonstration garden on Workday Wednesdays. In the garden, you will experience learning to grow food in a sustainable, organic way, while getting an opportunity to meet new people., and to help those in need in the community. If you, your organization, or work place would like to be involved, please give us a call. We would love to hear from you!

Each Wednesday from 7:30-11:30 AM 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! 318-445-2773

Garden Quote

"Gardening is akin to writing stories. No experience could have taught me more about grief or flowers, about achieving survival by going, your fingers in the ground, the limit of physical exhaustion." Eudora Welty

Girls having fun at the Pineville Youth Center

Volunteer of the Month

"He's a soft spoken guy, kinda sweet, kinda shy..." you might think, until you hear Ryan Drake's story. He's a young man filled with a passion to help others. Ryan joined the GFP volunteer team because he "liked the idea that someone is getting a meal" because he helped in the demonstration garden. Helping to get food for families in need is one of the reasons Ryan pursued a degree in social work. He wants to help people on a "macro level" as a community organizer who helps marginalized individuals find self-empowerment as they gain the building blocks to work their way out of poverty or natural disasters. Ryan, a central Louisiana native, and a graduate of Pineville High and Louisiana College, says he has "always worked in the local community to help others," and has a "soft spot for special needs folks." The Good Food Project fits his desire to work with a variety of people. We are grateful to passionate people like Ryan who lend their help and support as we too, work to help others. To become a volunteer like Ryan, we invite you to join us each Wednesday morning in the demonstration garden at 3223 Baldwin Avenue Alexandria, LA. 318-445-2773

Stay Connected