Newsletter April 2022

I hope the first thing you noticed was our new name - Food Bank Growers. We are proud to announce this change as we feel it reflects our organization on a broader level. Growing produce for the food banks has always been a priority and a pleasure, but our organization has grown to support the growing, gathering, and giving of so much more than just food. I hope that when you read our motto, "Grow. Gather. Give." you are inspired by a sense of community, an expanse of knowledge, and a desire to share in it with us. Along with a name change, we have many exciting expansions and we hope you'll join us.

Firstly, we are expanding to include 14 garden sites around the county, as well as the beloved Quimper Community Harvest. As we join forces with the Gleaners and other experienced gardeners, we are looking forward to sharing networks and knowledge that can enhance our two organizations. As climate change and supply chain disruptions continue to impede our local food bank's access to U.S. grown produce, we are happy to include more gardens around the county. Winter months can be very hard for the food banks, with limited access to fresh produce. We hope to have access to more winter growing space by expanding our winter planting plans and increasing hoop house square footage for next year. Being able to grow all year-round is becoming one of the most vital goals of our organization. 

Secondly, we have launched a new website! Please check it out atfoodbankgrowers.org. This new website will prioritize the gardens and the people behind them. It will be a great resource for sharing knowledge and experiences, as well as connecting the gardens with one another. Big thanks to Frank DePalma of Totera Web Services, Mary Hunt, and Barbara Tusting for all their hard work getting it up and running. If you want to read more, please check out this article on the why and how we are using the new website commit to our mission.... Grow. Gather, Give. 

The last thing I want to remind everyone of is our annual Plant Sale Fundraiser. We have been working hard to nurture hundreds of plant starts that we hope will make it to their new homes with you! Beginning on April 18, sales will go live on our new website. You can purchase plants until April 25th. Plant pick-up will be on April 30th at the Quimper Grange. Everything from veggies and herbs to flowers and worm bins will be available. 

Transitions

You'll still see our old name in use as we make the transition. It's still the same organization, just with a mission informed by and for the entire Jefferson County Community. Pictured in the The Blessings Garden at the First Church Christ-Scientist, a garden that has joined the fleet once again. 



April Volunteer Opportunities

Plant Sale

Volunteer for our Annual Fundraiser! We especially need help the week leading up to sale as we pull together orders, double check for accuracy, and keep everything watered. We could also use some help the day of - April 30 - to help with order pick-up at the Quimper Grange. Please let me know if you are interested. 

Birchyville Earn you Eggs!

M, W, F - 10-12
With chickens and ducks at the Birchyville Food Bank Garden there are opportunities to work in the gardens and get to know the animals. You can even earn a dozen eggs when you volunteer!

PT & Tri-Area Food Banks

Consider volunteering at one of the food banks a couple days this month. They are in need of extra hands and you can see the full-circle of how the veggies we grow get put into the community's hands.

Volunteer Now

You'll still see our old name in use as we make the transition. It's still the same organization, just with a mission informed by and for the entire Jefferson County Community. Pictured in the The Blessings Garden at the First Church Christ-Scientist, a garden that has joined the fleet once again. 

Tomato Soup With That Grilled Cheese, Please!

With the farmers market back up and running, it feels good to get a small taste of what's to come. I was excited to get my hands on some White Lotus sourdough bread, Chimacum Valley Cheese, Midori Savory Kraut, and a mix of veggies from my favorite farmers! If you hear those first three together and think grilled cheese like I did, then you'll need some tomato soup, too!

• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1/2 large onion, cut into large wedges
• 1 (28-ounce) can tomatoes
• 1 ½ cups water or stock
• Salt to taste
• A few cloves of garlic, crushed 

1.Melt butter over medium heat in a soup pot
2. Add onion wedges, water, can of tomatoes with their juices, and salt. Bring to a simmer. Cook, uncovered, for about 40 minutes. Stir occasionally and add additional salt as needed.
3. Blend the soup, and then season to taste. The soup doesn’t need to be ultra-smooth, some texture is a nice touch. 

Serve with that kraut-filled grilled cheese and a side of your favorite veggies!

Tips for April Gardening

• Seeing everyone's bulbs pop-up is such a solace in spring... but now is a good time to sow hardy annuals to cover up the bare spots once the colorful bulbs die back. 
• Add compost and other soil amendments to get ready for the growing season ahead. 
• Cool weather plants and starts can go in the ground over the next few weeks. 
• Get a jump on the slugs! They are out and about... consider an eggshell barrier, night time missions or copper tape. 
• Now is a great time to clean up the garden - pruning and deadheading. As the temperature warms, bees and other insects do not necessarily need your dead plants as homes any longer.