April Newsletter

Dear MMN Participant, 

Happy Spring! We're excited to enter the season of fresh, locally grown produce!

 

On March 24 we hosted a forum, Feeding Our Students - A Look at Nutrition Services in the Needham Public Schools, with the League of Women Voters of Needham. Our speakers were Colin Boisvert, Director of Nutrition Services, NPS, and Jennifer Tuttelman, Assistant Director of Nutrition Services, NPS. We had a Q&A at the end. If you missed the forum, visit our website to watch the recording.

 

The presentation included many photos, like these, of delicious-looking food from the NPS cafeterias.

NEEDHAM COMMUNITY FARM WELCOMES A NEW FIELD MANAGER

The Needham Community Farm (NCF), one of Meatless Monday Needham’s partner organizations, is a local treasure. Its mission is to increase access to fresh produce for those in need and to promote education, environmental stewardship, and community building through volunteerism.

NCF is founded on principles of food justice. It partners with the Needham Community Council and the Needham Housing Authority to ensure that everyone in our community has access to fresh, healthy food regardless of background and economic circumstances. NCF donates half of what it grows each year to Needham residents in need.


This spring, the Farm is welcoming a new Field Manager, Allie Comet. We asked Allie a few questions to help us all get to know her.

What are your favorite things about farming?

I have been farming for about 10 years, and love so many things about the work. It is definitely very hard work - physically, mentally, financially - but it is also deeply rewarding. I love working outside and doing physical work, and over the years have learned how to be smart about taking care of my body. Planting seeds each spring and helping them grow feels like a chance to participate in some of the magic of nature, and really connects me to the natural world I am a part of. I love growing good food for myself and the people around me, and getting to eat that food!

 

What drew you to NCF?
I have been in the Boston area for about 4 years, and was previously working as a garden educator. I had farmed for many years before that, and I was interested in focusing more on production, particularly on a small scale that mostly uses hand labor and low tillage practices. The role at NCF seemed like a great fit because I feel very aligned with the organizational focus on education and food access. At NCF, I have the chance to grow food and also support the larger mission and programs.

 

Your NCF bio says you are passionate about building community around land and food, soil health, food justice, and nature connection. Could you tell us some of your ideas for building community in some of these areas? 
I think NCF is already doing great work with this type of community building by providing community garden space, classes, ample educational opportunities, and free access to food! There are so many different ways that people connect to nature and food, and ways that people do not have easy or equitable access to these things. I believe that lots need to be done on the community level, as well as on a larger policy level to address this.

LOCAL NEWS AND EVENTS

Needham Community Farm - FREE Events

Plant Peas to Grow & Share

Learn to plant and care for Tom Thumb peas. With the right amounts of water, sun and tender loving care, you'll have pea plants in a few weeks, and then peas to eat. Join NCF at the Needham Public Library community room for a fun-filled session of how to grow and take care of the plants! Supplies and instruction will be provided. Tuesday, April 12, 4pm. Event is in collaboration with the Needham Free Public Library.

Landscaping With Native Plants

What is a “native plant” and why should you add them to your landscape? Needham resident Joanne Neale, the owner of Garden MentorSM landscape design and consulting, will discuss the benefits of native plants and how to prepare a bed. Joanne’s gardening philosophy is based on low maintenance, sustainability, and organic methods, with an emphasis on native plants. She’ll show slides of suggested natives. Thursday, April 14, 7:30pm. Workshop is co-sponsored by Temple Beth Shalom Environmental Action Committee and Green Needham.


Events are FREE. Register here.

Sierra Club of Massachusetts - FREE Events


Plant-Based Cooking Demonstration
Watch a free demonstration of how to cook various plant-based dishes on Sunday, April 10, 7 - 8pm. Questions about plant-based cooking are welcome. Sign up here.


Free Plant-Based Cooking Class
On Tuesday, April 19, join professional Chef Diana Goldman from 6:30 - 7pm as she demonstrates the preparation of a plant-based recipe. A list of ingredients will be sent to people who register, so you can cook along with Diana, if you’d like. Check out Diana's repertoire of healthy recipes and cooking tips at her website: https://beantownkitchen.com/. Get more information and sign up here. 

RECIPES WE LIKE

Are you daydreaming about spring and summer eating, with fresh local greens and herbs? We are, too!

Here are a couple of recipes from our website to get you started!

 

 

Easy Vegan BBQ Salad from loveandlemons.com.

Spinach Hummus Wrap from lazycatkitchen.com.

 

 

 

(The names alone make us love these websites!).

WEB RESOURCE

 

Earth Day 2022 is coming up on April 22. As a Meatless Monday Needham participant, you do something nice for the Earth every time you prioritize plant-forward eating. Want to do something more? Check out local Earth Day events at the Earth Day Boston website or global happenings at the Earth Day website. In addition to events, the Earth Day site includes lots of information about the environment and ongoing programs.

CHECK OUT OUR FACEBOOK PAGE... 

to see dishes prepared by your Needham neighbors and to share yours!

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