Archive for July, 2011
It is normal to think of canned and packaged foods when it comes to giving to food banks, but what about fresh produce? During this new “organic era” we are being encouraged from every angle to eat healthy and fresh, but we all know that comes with a price; it is easier, faster and cheaper to eat fast food, and it is as easy for Food Banks to acquire and provide canned and packaged foods.
All that said, the question is: Can we possibly provide fresh produce for Food Banks? I believe the answer is yes. Want more? Click here. It will definitely require more man power (usually volunteers) and new methods for acquiring these fresh foods, but some are as simple as attaining partnerships with produce growers to allow the Food Banks to recover any produce left behind by the automated pick up machines, as well as partnering with grocery stores to donate those “still edible” but too close to expiring products.
As it is with any new initiative, providing Fresh Produce to Food Banks definitely poses a challenge, but there are ways around it and can be achieved with collaboration from food growers, food distributors and individual volunteers, one step at a time, one country at a time.
July 12th, 2011
The art of gardening is considered by some to be one of the most difficult tasks to master. After all, all plants have their various needs and requirements to look the best. Many have been said to be blessed with a “green thumb” and succeed greatly in planting a gorgeous garden that all can enjoy. If you are considering taking up this art, perhaps it would be nice to share the duties with a neighbor who is also interested. After all, this would mean that you do not have to rely on yourself to do all of the work. It would also be beneficial in getting the opinion of another person when having to make important decisions. Of course this would mean that if you are planting fruits or vegetables that some sort of agreement should be settled as far as how much each person would get to keep. All in all, gardening with a neighbor has many benefits and could be a great way to get to know another person. If you are considering this, perhaps read up on gardening in your local library or do a search on the Internet for great information on this particular topic area.
July 9th, 2011
One night all the neighbors come together with garbage bags and tillers. Once the ground is clear and the earth tilled all neighbors can participate pouring planting soil, organic manure and remixing the earth. Communities across America can develop projects that alone is impossible but in a group is easy. Even a large garden in an empty lot can reinvigorate the community.
Planting kid-friendly foods such as potatoes, pumpkins, green and yellow beans, cucumbers, corn, tomatoes and strawberries insures a high yield of kid and finicky eater produce for the entire neighborhood. These plants grow easily in drought, rainy weather, sun and shade. Each night the community visits the site to water, feed, weed and complete their assigned chores. Before the heat of August sends everyone to their air conditioned rooms, the garden will yield corn, green and yellow beans, cucumbers and strawberries.
Community gardens are easy work once they are established. Young children and the elderly can participate in the gardens health. Community members take pride in this accomplish that raises community awareness and camaraderie everywhere the garden grows. That empty lot will transform your neighborhood all year long as a playground with pot luck after the growing season.
July 8th, 2011
Tilling the garden, pulling the weeds, hoeing earth and watering the plants are just a few of the wonderful joys of gardening. Pumpkins are wonderful community garden vegetables. Green vines attaching everywhere, beautiful orange flowers and festival gourds are fun to watch and fill the table. Baking pumpkin pie in the fall or carving pumpkins for Halloween, children especially enjoy the garden. Corn that grows ten feet tall brings the sweetest, abundant store to feed a community several times over. Green beans and cucumbers also are perfect garden vegetables that grow hearty with abundant produce.
Community gardens teach kids about sustaining life and feeding themselves. These gardens remind young adults that food begins with care and healthy food is worth the effort. In today’s fast-paced society it can be difficult to maintain community gardens. Just agree ahead of time on watering, weeding and feeding chores.
Community gardens with as few as six fruits or vegetables, beans or gourds yield dozens of table ready meals when properly tended. Strawberries thrive and produce a high yield to support the community table. Cheaper than the supermarket and pesticide-free, community gardens produce a plethora of bountiful goodies sufficient enough to feed the entire community.
July 7th, 2011