JULY 2015 FEATURING FOOD GATHERERS’ GATHERING FARM Created in 2009, Food Gatherers’ Gathering Farm was established to increase the supply of fresh fruits and vegetables available at Food Gatherers (FG). The farm has allowed FG to become a more reliable source of healthy food to our 150 amazing partner programs who are able to take the bountiful produce from the Gathering Farm and distribute it to low-income residents throughout Washtenaw County. By choosing vegetables that secure high yields, the crops that Food Gatherers grows help ensure that at least 50% of our total food distribution is either produce or protein. This year, Gathering Farm Manager Brit Keene and FG volunteers will be growing melons, peppers, tomatoes, and loads of greens in the garden! Since 2009, Food Gatherers has harvested 92,723 pounds of produce! In addition to the Gathering Farm, in 2009 FG started a coordinated campaign called ‘Faith and Food’ to encourage local congregations to start or expand a garden. Each congregation that participates in ‘Faith and Food’ is asked to donate at least 50% of their garden to Food Gatherers. This year, with the help of University of Michigan Matthaei Botanical Gardens, Food Gatherers distributed nearly 2,000 seedlings to 17 local congregations! This success means that even more fresh produce can be distributed out to those in need. Food Gatherers also encourages local community members with green thumbs and home gardens to plant an extra row in their garden to donate to Food Gatherers! The Garden Writers’ Association nationally sponsors this program referred to as ‘Plant-A-Row’. In 2012, local gardeners donated nearly 25,000 pounds of fresh, locally-grown produce, including more than 16,000 pounds from the Horticulture Program at Huron Valley Women's Correctional Facility! With all the amazing gardening programs that Food Gatherers supports, we are sure to reach our goal of increasing the availability of healthy produce in our community! CFP member Kristie Khatibi planting tomatoes in the Gathering Farm!
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JULY 2015
FEATURING FOOD GATHERERS’ GATHERING FARM
Created in 2009, Food Gatherers’ Gathering Farm was
established to increase the supply of fresh fruits and vegetables
available at Food Gatherers (FG). The farm has allowed FG to
become a more reliable source of healthy food to our 150 amazing
partner programs who are able to take the bountiful produce from the
Gathering Farm and distribute it to low-income residents
throughout Washtenaw County.
By choosing vegetables that secure high yields, the crops that Food
Gatherers grows help ensure that at least 50% of our total food
distribution is either produce or protein. This year, Gathering Farm
Manager Brit Keene and FG volunteers will be growing melons,
peppers, tomatoes, and loads of greens in the garden!
Since 2009, Food Gatherers has harvested 92,723 pounds of produce!
In addition to the Gathering Farm, in 2009 FG started a coordinated campaign called ‘Faith and Food’ to encourage
local congregations to start or expand a garden. Each congregation that participates in ‘Faith and Food’ is asked to
donate at least 50% of their garden to Food Gatherers. This year, with the help of University of Michigan Matthaei
Botanical Gardens, Food Gatherers distributed nearly 2,000 seedlings to 17 local congregations! This success means
that even more fresh produce can be distributed out to those in need.
Food Gatherers also encourages local community members with green thumbs and home gardens to plant an extra row
in their garden to donate to Food Gatherers! The Garden Writers’ Association nationally sponsors this program referred
to as ‘Plant-A-Row’. In 2012, local gardeners donated nearly 25,000 pounds of fresh, locally-grown produce, including
more than 16,000 pounds from the Horticulture Program at Huron Valley Women's Correctional Facility! With all the
amazing gardening programs that Food Gatherers supports, we are sure to reach our goal of increasing the availability
of healthy produce in our community!
CFP member Kristie Khatibi planting tomatoes in
the Gathering Farm!
GATHERING WITH FARMER BRITT
DOUBLE UP ON FOOD BUCKS...SAY WHAT?!
Find a market near you and see below for how it works!
1. Bring your SNAP Bridge Card to the farmers market office or info booth
before you shop. Market staff are there to help.
2. Buy any SNAP-eligible foods at the market with your Bridge Card dollars.
3. Double Up Food Bucks will match what you spend with FREE Double Up Food Bucks – up to $20, every market
day. Use them right away or later on to buy Michigan grown fruits & vegetables.
For more information , including flyers and a list of the participating Farmers Markets in Washtenaw County, visit
http://www.doubleupfoodbucks.org/resources For map handouts in English, Spanish, and Arabic visit www.foodgatherers.org/SNAP
Want to get more fruits & vegetables when you use your Bridge Card at farmers markets?!
It’s easy peasy with
Double Up Food Bucks!
How did you get into farming?
I was a city girl, well as much of a city girl as you could be in a rural community! I was a vending machine vegetarian all through
college, eating cheez-its and mountain dew for breakfast every day, and my meals only got worse as the day went on! Once I found
out I was pregnant, I started focusing much more on what I was putting into my body… but organic produce is expensive!
My solution was to try and grow the stuff that I really liked. It went really well the first year, sharing produce with friends and family
and putting stuff away for the winter. The second year, I expanded my garden and started sharing even more produce. By year 3 I
had started a small 20 member CSA operation. I really haven’t called myself a farmer until last year though, when I expanded to 4
acres and 75 CSA members!
What is the biggest gardening mistake people make?
That’s a tough one! I mean, as much as I think I know about gardening, I am constantly learning more! I guess it’s taking soi l for
granted. I once heard someone say “I don’t grow food, I build soil and the soil grows my food.” Wow! That one hit real close to home.
Do a soil test to see what is lacking and add that in, it will create bigger and more bountiful produce!
What grows best in Michigan?
It really depends on where you are and what the season is like, weather wise.
This year the melons, tomatoes, and peppers seem to be doing well. Herbs and
fresh leafy greens are always an excellent option!
What was the best gardening tip you have ever received?
Prune the suckers off your tomato plants!
What advice do you have for new gardeners?
Pick just a couple of items to start with and focus on what works well to produce
high yields.
What is your favorite vegetable?
BEETS!! They are so versatile. I loves them roasted, shaved raw on a sandwich, mixed in vanilla cake to make a fun color… mmmm!!
The Gathering Farm Manager Brit Keene
staking out some tomato plants at Food
Gatherers’ Gathering Farm!
MARKELL IS BACK!
WEBWINDOW INVENTORY SPOTLIGHT
Product Information:
Packaging: 24/1.58 oz. pkgs
Price/Case: $7.50
Category: Purchased Product
Reference Number: 703830
Nutrition Description: Go!
What’s On This Month’s Menu? Soy Nuts, Roasted w/ Light Salt
SOAP UP TO SAVE LIVES
When you hear the term, “Human Trafficking,”
Ann Arbor may not be the first place you picture, but human trafficking
isn’t just a problem in developing countries, it is a problem even in Ann Arbor!
Did You Know? Huge events that bring thousands of visitors to a city
increase the demand for prostitution. During large events, victims will be
bussed into cities, like Ann Arbor, and surrounding areas to meet these
demands.
What is being done? To help save victims and decrease human trafficking,
Pearls of Great Price, The Salvation Army and SOAP Metro Detroit are partnering to
reach victims of human trafficking through local hotels.
Why SOAP Up? S.O.A.P stands for Save Our Adolescents from Prostitution.
Specially wrapped bars of soap are offered to local hotels prior to large events which
asks: "Are you being forced to do anything you do not want to do?'' and contains the
National Human Trafficking Hotline Number 888-373-7888.
Want more details? Visit soapannarbor.eventbrite.com for details about the event, training and volunteer opportunities!
Here at Food Gatherers, we are nuts about soy! Why, you might ask? Because a 1/2-cup serving
of soy nuts contains 34 grams of protein, which is more than is in a 3-ounce
portion of meat, and all of the essential amino acids! I don’t know about you, but soy nuts are
looking like a dream come true!
Here are some tips and tricks to help your clients incorporate soy nuts into their daily diets: Toss them into salads for some added protein Combine them with other nuts, dried fruit, seeds, and even dark chocolate to create a
healthy trail mix for on the go
Use them to top stir frys with
Since they are pre-portioned, they make easy, healthy snacks just by
themselves!
Try re-roasting them and adding different spices
Markell Miller, Manager of Community Food Programs, has returned from maternity leave and we are so excited to have her back! So
excited, in fact, that we had to feature her in an in-depth, hard-hitting Interview.
How are you doing today? I'm doing well! I'm getting the hang of being back at work, and I'm tackling all the different things I need to do. I came back to work the week of Grillin', so it's been a hectic re-entry. What did you miss most about Food Gatherers while you were away? Definitely my coworkers and their positive, can-do attitude and sense of humor, and all of our great community partners! How would you rate the cuteness of your baby on a 1-10 scale (10 being the most cutest thing in the world)? Well an 11 of course!
What is the best thing your baby does these days? She smiles at us now, and it just melts your heart!
Markell Miller, center, with the rest of the CFP team at Grillin’
2015! From left to right, Rachel Caty, Erin Freeman, LeRonica
Roberts, Markell Miller, Diana Beltran, Kristie Khatibi,
and Laura Alexander.
1 Carrot Way Ann Arbor, MI, 48105
www.foodgatherers.org 734-761-2796
Made with love by the Community Food Programs Department Markell Miller, Manager of Community Food Programs Department, [email protected] Please contact Markell for any issues regarding your new program inquiries, billing, and any concerns or program challenges. LeRonica Roberts, Community Food Programs Coordinator, [email protected] Please contact LeRonica with questions regarding your food bank orders, the Summer Food Service Program, delivery profile, billing, site visits, and any concerns or program challenges. Diana Beltran, Meal Program VISTA, [email protected] Please contact Diana with issues regarding site visits, pantry shopping, and civil rights training. Erin Freeman, Food Access VISTA, [email protected] Please contact Erin with questions regarding Food Gatherers’ website edits, Webwindow photos, recall emails, SNAP outreach, demographic data collection, and ServSafe Training. Kristie Khatibi, Food Access VISTA, [email protected] Please contact Kristie with questions regarding the Healthy School Pantry Program, Gatherings, Hunger Referral Guide, produce surveys, and pantry shopping. Shaira Daya, Nutrition Projects Coordinator, [email protected] Please contact Shaira with questions regarding nutrition education, cooking demonstrations, healthy recipes or produce promotion tips!
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