A unique and viable approach to establishing local food self-reliance and building stronger communities.

Friday, August 27, 2010

It's Harvest Time!

Autumn is in the air and the gardens have really started to produce a fine harvest! Today was Food Bank day and here is a list of what was shared amongst volunteers and distributed at the Food Bank.

Alpine - most of a week's harvest - August 25, 2010

Tomatoes: 49 pounds
Cucumbers: 125 pounds
Zucchini/Summer Squash: 55 pounds
Basil: 4 pounds
Beets: 20 pounds
Cabbage: 15 pounds
Green peppers: 3 pounds
Green beans: 20 pounds

That's over 240 pounds of fresh produce in one week!

We are focused almost entirely on harvesting now. Our volunteer team (people who show up on a weekly, or bi-weekly basis) is nine-strong and we have another half-dozen folks who have helped us out on a more occasional basis. Our volunteers include "My" (13- short for "Ismael") and Ricardo (8), two Latino brothers who are helping feed their family with the food they bring home. We have people who found out about us because they have needed food from the Food Bank due to job-losses in their families. We have married couples and single people and several members of the team are in their 60's. Everyone shares a love for gardening and a desire to contribute to creating local food-self sufficiency.

Monroe's squash and cuke harvest - August 26, 2010
Our weekly volunteer times at the Monroe site have become quite a social hub. Many people come to help with the gardening and others stop by just because it feels good to be in the atmosphere of service and giving that the garden provides. Volunteers usually spend two to three hours weeding, mulching, planting or harvesting and then we take a break in the shade, eat cookies someone has brought, sip iced tea or fresh, delicious well-water (Thanks again Chester for getting the well hooked up again!). Today people were munching on fresh picked beans and last week, My sampled his first fresh beet (peeled and stuck on a shish-kabob stick to keep his hands clean.) With a big, red grin he said, "These are great! And my mom says they'll give me a healthy body." Yes they will, My. We're so happy to see you developing a taste for healthy fresh produce!
Cathy, Danielle and Llyn with kale for the Food bank
There's going to be a lot more harvesting and fun to be had before we put the garden to sleep later this fall. If you're local, remember that you can bring your own garden surplus to the Food Bank (just do a search on our site for the hours). If you'd like to join the other volunteers, send us an email and we'll add you to the list.

Tuesday, August 3, 2010

Potluck in the Park

 Potluck in the Park
This is a friendly reminder to all of you that there will be a potluck gathering at the Alpine Chapel Park on the evening of August 8, 2010 from 6:00 p.m. till dusk. We are hoping that many of you will attend. Bring your  favorite dish, salad, snacks, desserts and/or non-alcoholic beverages to share while listening to some old-time fiddle music, chatting with old friends and meeting some new ones. The occasion for this gathering is to welcome Janaia and Robyn, hosts of Peak Moment TV who will be interviewing Chris and Llyn about the "Sharing Gardens" earlier in the weekend. The Peak Moment TV series is dedicated to exploring solutions to the environmental and economic challenges facing so many of us today. Lets make this a family-friendly gathering. Children are welcome but please leave pets and alcoholic beverages at home. We anticipate some lively discussions and the sharing of ideas and perspectives that relate to strengthening our local communities. It should be a lot of fun - sure hope to see you there!

Any questions, give us a call or email us.

What: Potluck in the Park
When: Sunday, August 8 -- 6:00 p.m. till dusk
Where: Alpine Chapel Park - 
            across from Alpine's old Elementary School
            25114 Alpine Rd, Alpine Oregon 97456
Please bring: Food and/or drink to share as well as flatware, cups and dishes for your family.