We invite you to be a part of Good Food Projects sustainable gardening community that supports a healthy Cenla! Because a Happy Life is a Healthy Life!
Ten Layers of Love at Pineville Youth Center on Valentine's Day
Garden Club Kids Prepare Tasty Snacks for their PYC Peers

Good Food Project has partnered with the Pineville Youth Center since July 2013. The 'Garden Club' was established as a behavior incentive that has evolved to be a motivational vehicle that "teaches kids life-long skills," according to the youth center's Director, Al Peychaud. As many as 25 students who attend this City of Pineville after school program learn each Wednesday afternoon how to maintain their own sustainable garden on-site. Kids plant, water, weed, and harvest fresh vegetables and fruit that is used at the center or taken home. They even have a chicken coop and chickens where they gather eggs that are used as part of The Food Bank's Kids Cafe established during the 2012-2013 school-year.

This month, one of the garden club participants suggested that the club prepare and serve the kids who do not participate in garden club. They chose their two favorite snacks that are prepared for them each week through the Good Food Project: That Famous Seven-Layer Dip and the three-layered yogurt treat with fresh strawberries and granola. The kids received media attention and did a great job prepping and demonstrating how the snacks were made. GFP uses the seven-layer dip to teach the five food groups because there is an ingredient from each food group in that recipe.
These children thrive on seeing fresh food prepared or participating in its preparation and growth. They have tried many new foods they might not have otherwise, because it has become such a participatory learning experience. Two fantastic volunteers assist GFP staff each week during this school year: Retired teacher, Dianne Melder and Pineville High Senior, Chasity Paige. If you or someone you know might be interested in volunteering, please contact us at Good Food Project 318-445-2773 or via The Food Bank of Central Louisiana website and our volunteer portal: https://fbcenla.galaxydigital.com/
GFP Advisory Council members, Don Bullock and Brian Couvillion planting Irish potatoes at North Alexandria Community Garden
March
  • Beans, Bush, Lima, Pole
  • Butterfly milkweed
  • Cantaloupes
  • Chard, Swiss
  • Collards
  • Corn, sweet
  • Cucumbers
  • Eggplant (plants)
  • Kale
  • Kohlrabi
  • Marigolds
  • Mirliton
  • Mustard Greens
  • Lettuce
  • Okra
  • Peas, Southern
  • Pepper, Bell & Hot (Seed - indoors)
  • Pumpkin
  • Radish
  • Summer Squash
  • Sunflowers
  • Tomatoes (Seed - indoors)
  • Tomatoes (Plants after last frost)
  • Watermelons
  • Zinnias
What Can I Plant this Month and Next Month?
February
  • Beans - Bush, Pole, Snap
  • Beets
  • Carrots
  • Cauliflower
  • Chard, Swiss
  • Chinese Cabbage
  • Collards
  • Corn, Sweet
  • Eggplant (Seed - indoors)
  • Kale
  • Kohlrabi
  • Lettuce
  • Mustard Greens
  • Peas, Sugar snap, snow
  • Pepper, Bell & Hot (Seed - indoors)
  • Potatoes, Irish
  • Radish
  • Shallots
  • Spinach
  • Tomatoes (Seed - indoors)
  • Turnips
Teacher, Elizabeth Doise and students at Oberlin Elementary get their hands dirty harvesting cabbage this month! #schoolgardensmatter
Good Food Project Recipe of the Month
That Famous 7-Layer Dip (with something from all 5 food groups)
Ingredients
1 16 Oz can of refried beans
8 Oz. sour cream
8 Oz. plain yogurt
1 cup prepared guacamole
1 cup chopped Roma tomatoes
1/2 cup sliced green onions
1/2 cup sliced black olives
2 cups shredded Monterrey Jack and Cheddar cheese
A couple of dashes of chili powder
Simple Guacamole
3 Avocados
Juice of 1 lime
1/2 Tsp. salt
1/2 cup diced red onion
2-3 Tbsp. chopped cilantro
1 Tsp. chopped garlic
Mash avocados with a fork or potato masher. Mix ingredients together in a large bowl
Directions
Spread refried beans in a low rectangular serving dish
Mix yogurt and sour cream, sprinkle with chili powder and mix well
Top with layers of guacamole, green onions, chopped tomatoes, and black olives
Serve with whole grain tortilla chips

Dairy provides Calcium - 2 1/2 - 3 cups a day
Fruits help protect against serious illness - 1 - 1 1/2 cups a day
Whole grains help protect against heart disease - 1 Oz. a day
Meat and Beans provide protein to help build muscle - have 4-5 Oz. a day
Vegetables help fight heart disease and obesity - 1 1/2 - 2 1/2 cups a day
Note Worthy News from GFP
Want a Chance to win these luscious vegetables from an Inglewood Farm CSA? Here's how:
Second Annual Inglewood Classic 5K and 1 Mile Fun Run
Join us on April 21, 2018 at the historic Inglewood Farm for the second annual Inglewood Classic 5k and 1 Mile Fun Run. Proceeds will benefit Good Food Project's sustainable gardening program. Sign up as a participant, as a sponsor, or as a volunteer by calling Donna for more information at 318-445-2773 - We hope to see you there!
February Scenes and Tips
Montessori Education Center cabbage harvest
Kids love to see the product of their effort - Gardening fits perfectly into Science - Technology-Engineering-Math
GFP at Rapides Parish Main Library conducting a Master Gardener Training on Red Wiggler Worms
Tip: Seed warm weather vegetables in February indoors and then plant the seedlings late in March for bountiful warm weather crops!
Hope House Garden and Nutrition Life Skills Class - Cooking Demonstration
Learning new skills with a friend or family member is a lot more fun and creates some great memories!