by Candice Smith
The Phillies Bridge Farm Project is the oldest non-profit CSA in the Hudson Valley, but its mission is much broader. "We consider every healthy, nutritious meal that reaches food insecure people to be a victory," says Brian Obach, Co-President. Food justice and education programs are at the heart of their projects.
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The Cornell Cooperative Extension Nutrition Program offers several varieties of cooking and nutrition education workshops in the area. For those with limited income, free nutrition education classes are offered through Eat Smart New York (ESNY) and the Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) federally funded grant programs. Sessions include a series of 6-8 one hour classes at agencies and schools throughout the Hudson Valley.
Topics include cooking and planning low cost meals, smart food shopping, food safety and reading food labels. Goals of the programs include increasing fruit and vegetable consumption, decreasing sugary beverage consumption and attention to caloric balance and physical activity. Thanks to a grant from Hudson Valley Community Foundations, the farm provides the produce for these programs at no cost.
Ulster County Healthy Families brings their program participants to the farm for graduation day festivities. Participants tour the farm and garden and then help to harvest the tomatoes, squash, beets, radishes and greens. Last summer, the bounty was used to create salsas, zucchini muffins and a Greek salad for everyone to sample.
"Phillies Bridge Farm is a model of what our food system could look like. We produce healthy food grown using ecologically sound methods, and at the same time, we week to educate people and build community. Everyone eats, so farms serve as great places where people can come together," says Obach.
There is always something happening at the farm!...
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