Interplanted People, Places, and Ideas

Available at Aldrich's, Imprint, and Amazon.

Have you ever asked one question that lead to a rabbit hole of more questions? That's what happened to grower/gleaner Mary Hunt while volunteering during the Salish Coast Production Farm development she wondered, who started this process? What about the teaching garden next to it? And the high school culinary garden that's been there forever or the orchard? How do they stay functioning year after year when school's out for summer?

As she delved into creating a timeline of who did what and when, it became obvious that the "who" was the Port Townsend community that just couldn't let the farm-to-school concept die out. It took over 20 years to create the growing, eating, learning, and even the business ideas highlighting local food appreciation. Today these diverse touch points seamlessly blend into the school life experience taking kids from sugary and salty meals to loving fresh pesto and then wanting to grow their own basil!

Interplanted: Growing Foodies from Scratch... captures this community effort to create an engaging farm to school, to cafeteria, to community journey while showcasing the program it has become today. The book provides ideas, but also could be used as a template for outlining how any school can advance programs and outcomes in their district. The larger PT community is embracing this effort by supporting levies, developing programs, providing volunteers, and individual funding. 

INTERPLANTED captures:

• How/why the movement started,
• How the school administration got involved,
• How properties were developed,
• Quantitative success (nearly 14,000 pounds in 2024 total),
• How the kitchens changed equipment,
• What the kitchen staff needed to learn,
• What recipes students now love,
• Which local groups helped to move things forward.

The book's proceeds with go to help fund the operations of these valuable programs during these times when grants are being cut. Locally, Interplanted  can be purchased at Aldrich's, Imprint or online on Amazon.

While climate change creates wind, floods, fires, and hail damaging to nationwide crops and sending up food prices... the Port Townsend region lives under a green bubble per se, of near perfect conditions for gardens. By growing produce people can put a dent in their grocery bill, increase the nutrition in their daily meals, and create memory-making moments... "In Port Townsend, being a foodie starts at our roots."