Groundworks Receives Bridge Builder Award for Produce Donations

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bridge builder award 3 bridge builder award 2 bridge builder award

Thank you Bridges to Independence for including us in a wonderful independence celebration this weekend!

Bridges to Independence is an organization that shelters and supports homeless women and families.  We are grateful to be able to contribute fresh Produce to their shelters.  This is one of the places where we send unclaimed CSA Shares.

The independence celebration honors women who have come through their doors and are now living independently.  Several of the women graduating shared their stories, hoping to inspire others in the community who are still working towards independence.  We were moved by what these strong, resilient women had to say.

Bridges to Independence also honored a few individuals and businesses that have supported them in different ways and we were honored to receive a Bridge Builder Award.  We accepted this award on behalf of our CSA members and generous volunteers who make these donations possible – this is your award!  Congratulations, and thank you!  Here’s to many more years to come!

You can find out more information about Bridges to Independence here: bridges2.org, including how you can donate and volunteer.

 

Garlic Scape Pesto Recipe

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adapted from simplyseasonal.com

Ingredients

1 bunch garlic scapes
⅓ cup olive oil
⅓ cup freshly grated parmesan
¼ cup raw nut of your choice (walnuts, pistachios, sunflower seeds, pine nuts)
2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
2-4 tbsp water
salt and pepper to taste

 

Instructions

  • Cut off the most woody few inches of the scape stem and discard.
  • Combine your washed garlic scapes, grated parmesan, nuts and lemon juice in a food processor and process at a medium speed until they are roughly chopped. Continue to run the food processor and slowly pour your olive oil in through the opening on the lid of the food processor. Process until all of the ingredients are very finely chopped and beginning to become smooth. If the pesto seems a little thick add 2-4 tablespoons of water until the desired thickness is achieved.
  • Finally, stir in salt and pepper to taste. Serve on pasta, spread on toast, or use in a sandwich.

Organic Winter-spring Produce Shares More Diverse Than Expected

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Winter-spring Compilation

It will probably surprise you learn that a Winter-Spring Produce Share from Groundworks Farm is just as diverse and varied as the Summer-Fall Shares. You can see the official Seasonal Produce Guide here. Everyone works very hard to bring you a local, varied, and diverse Share at every pickup, year-round.

Most people assume they’ll only get a bunch of root vegetables. But roots are only a small part of the story. For example, this is a Share you might get in January:

-Apples, Green Boston Lettuce, Spinach, Broccoli, Red Potatoes, Carrots, Pea Shoots, Baby Kale, Beets, Mushrooms, Thyme, Brussels Sprouts

And, here’s a Share you might get in March (typically the hardest part of the year to eat local in our area):

-Onions, Garlic, Apples, Lettuce Mix, Beets, Gold Potatoes, Rainbow Carrots, Parsley, Spinach, Rutabaga, Alfalfa Sprouts, Frozen Roasted Tomatoes, Japanese Sweet Potatoes

And, remember, these Winter-Spring Shares go all the way through May as well! Here’s a Share you might get in May:

-Strawberries, Rhubarb, Red Potatoes, Asparagus, Swiss Chard, Spring Mix Lettuce, Collard Greens, Easter Egg Radishes, Sweet and Spicy Greens Mix, Mushrooms

Join our community and keep your meals fresh, local, and fun this Winter and Spring! Click here for more information.

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Groundworks Farm in the News

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Here’s a throwback to last May, when Kevin was interviewed about our unique CSA program.  10 months later, our community is stronger than ever.  Our on-farm distribution facility is a little nicer now too…

Way to go Kevin, and thank you to WBOC for the VERY nice video!

Groundworks Farm Reaches 100 Donations to Women’s Shelter

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Here’s a great article about our organic food donations that we can all feel great about.  Thank you for making these and others donations possible!

Bridges to Independence, which manages the Sullivan House Emergency Women’s Shelter in Arlington, published this great article about our longstanding partnership in their Newsletter this month.

Click HERE to learn more about Bridges to Independence and the work they do in Arlington and Alexandria to help women and families.  They are a great organization to consider for charitable giving.

-Margaret and Kevin

LOCAL FARMER REACHES 100 DONATION MILESTONE

January 11, 2017

Farmer Kevin Brown grew up learning about giving back to the less fortunate. His family lived in Arlington, near Sullivan House – Bridges to Independence’s emergency shelter for homeless women and families – and he remembers bringing gifts to the shelter every year. “At Christmas, Mom would make cookies and we would bring them to the shelter. Then we learned to sew and we brought handmade dish towels and oven mitts. It was important to our parents that we learn about helping others,” he says.

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Brooke Alexander and son Kevin Brown

The lesson sure caught on! Today, Kevin is the owner of Groundworks Farm, an organic farm on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. The farm’s CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) provides fresh produce to Arlington residents year-round, including fruits, vegetables, eggs, chicken, meat and cheese. Customers pick up their shares each week; any shares not picked up are donated to local charities. Arlington shares are donated to Bridges to Independence, providing the shelter residents with a rare treat for those living in a shelter – fresh produce.

Today Groundworks Farm donates 75 pounds of produce a week to Bridges to Independence, and recently the farm made its 100th donation! Bridges receives enough from Groundworks to provide each family in the shelter with a large bag of fresh fruits and vegetables every week, and often there is extra left over for other families in need. Shelter residents have access to small kitchens, so they are able to store and cook the donated food. Kevin’s mother Brooke Alexander delivers the produce each week, continuing the family’s connection to Bridges.

Says Kevin, “Part of the farm’s mission is giving back. It’s important to me to eliminate food waste and give fresh food to people who really need it. When we share our extra food, it feels like our purpose is a little bigger.”

What’s in a Winter-Spring Organic Produce Share? The Answer Will Shock You…

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PageLines- WinterShare.jpg

It will probably surprise you learn that a Winter-Spring Produce Share from Groundworks Farm is just as diverse and varied as the Summer-Fall Shares. You can see the official Seasonal Produce Guide here. We work very hard to bring you a local, varied, and diverse Share at every pickup, year-round.

Most people assume they’ll only get a bunch of root vegetables. But roots are only a small part of the story. For example, this is a Share you might get in January:

-Apples, Green Boston Lettuce, Spinach, Broccoli, Red Potatoes, Carrots, Pea Shoots, Baby Kale, Beets, Mushrooms, Thyme, Brussels Sprouts

And, here’s a Share you might get in March (typically the hardest part of the year to eat local in our area):

-Onions, Garlic, Apples, Lettuce Mix, Beets, Gold Potatoes, Rainbow Carrots, Parsley, Spinach, Rutabaga, Alfalfa Sprouts, Frozen Roasted Tomatoes, Japanese Sweet Potatoes

And, remember, these Winter-Spring Shares go all the way through May as well! Here’s a Share you might get in May:

-Strawberries, Rhubarb, Red Potatoes, Asparagus, Swiss Chard, Spring Mix Lettuce, Collard Greens, Easter Egg Radishes, Sweet and Spicy Greens Mix, Mushrooms

Join our community and keep your meals fresh, local, and fun this Winter and Spring! Click here for more information.

Eat Local. Save The Planet. Be Healthy. Build Community.

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Supporting local organic farms and food producers is one of the most effective ways YOU
can reduce your own carbon footprint and live a little lighter on the planet.

       Sustainable farming techniques + less food miles
                                                   = less carbon per meal = healthier planet.

In the warm Mid-Atlantic Summer months it’s easy to source local. There’s lots of farmers
markets, Summer CSAs, and local produce on the grocery shelves and the restaurant menus.

But what about eating local the other half of the year, in the Winter and Spring?

The Winter and Spring seasons are actually my favorite time to eat local – hearty soups,
flavorful salads, crisp apples, and succulent roasted root vegetables keep me warm all Winter.
Then with the first blush of spring comes strawberries, asparagus, and the first crisp field
greens as the outside world awakens yet again.

The Groundworks Farm CSA makes it easy to reduce your food miles year-round.  Our
knowledgeable, friendly, and supportive pickup staff is always available to help you keep your
family dinners interesting.  Pick up new recipes,storage tips, and talk cooking every-other
week with our supportive localvore staff and community so your kitchen can thrive all the way
through those cold Winter Months.

Eat local. Save the planet.  Be healthy.  Build community.

Want to see our large Winter-Spring produce diversity for yourself?  Check out our
seasonal produce guide below. I think you’ll find the Winter-Spring seasons to be
just as exciting and diverse as the Summer-Fall.

seasonal produce guide

 

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