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!


GFP Shares Produce with Local Folks at Several Locations: The Food Bank of Cenla, Manna House, Salvation Army, The Hope House, Pineville Youth Center, the Senior Feeding Program at Pineville Church of God, and Pine Grove Apartments
Pictured at left: Linda, Rita, and Harvey at Pinegrove Apartments


June and July in the Good Food Project demonstration garden is a time of abundance. The vegetables and fruit produced here is shared with seniors and families who are clients of the Food Bank of Cenla during the last week of the month.

GFP also partners with other organizations like Manna House, Salvation Army, The Hope House of Central Louisiana, Pineville Youth Center, and with Jessie Sutton, who runs a senior feeding program at the Pineville Church of God each week.

Recently, GFP has added to this roster, Pine Grove Apartment residents who reside in Pineville. GFP already partners with this senior complex with a small community garden. We highlight three of its committed gardeners - Rita and Harvey Sayes and Ms. Linda, who have dedicated themselves to the planting, maintenance and harvesting of their raised bed and container garden that benefits over half of the 75 units of the complex. Harvey and Linda do most of the garden maintenance, while Rita keeps accurate records of the produce given to the residents who are able to cook or consume the particular foods that are given to or are raised at the complex. Rita shared that "everyone greatly appreciates receiving the produce. Not everyone can cook or consume certain foods due to dietary restrictions, but those who can are grateful for the fresh vegetables and fruits." Linda is quiet, but a faithful worker in the garden that Harvey can depend on for support. Harvey, a very creative individual, loves working in the garden the most - it keeps him feeling productive and useful in his retirement. He has established elaborate pvc frames and twine for the vegetables to vine on. It's exciting to see what he can do in a small space!

This summer, GFP has supplemented their garden with various herbs, cutting celery, cucuzza squash, figs, bell peppers, cherry tomatoes, and eggplant. It is always delightful to bring food to people who love to cook it and share that bounty with others! We salute you!

If you or someone you know might be interested in making a donation to Good Food Project of the Food Bank of Central Louisiana to keep the program sustainable, check out the donations page of the GFP website: https://donatenow.networkforgood.org/foodbankofcentrallouisiana

A City of Alexandria Summer Youth Camp Garden Club Participant weeding their garden

July
  • Broccoli Seed
  • Brussels Sprouts Seed
  • Cabbage Seed
  • Cantaloupe
  • Cauliflower Seed
  • Collards
  • Chinese Cabbage Seed
  • Cucumbers
  • Cucuzzi Squash
  • Cushaw
  • Eggplant (Plants)
  • Garlic Chives
  • Kale Seed
  • Kohlrabi Seed
  • Lemon Balm
  • Lemon Verbena
  • Luffa Gourds
  • Mexican Oregano
  • Mexican Tarragon
  • Mints
  • Mirliton
  • Mustard Greens
  • Okra
  • Oregano
  • Peanuts
  • Peas, Southern
  • Pepper, Bell, Banana, Hot (Plants)
  • Potatoes, Sweet (slips or rooted cuttings)
  • Pumpkin
  • Rutabaga Seed
  • Shallots
  • Summer Squash
  • Sunflowers
  • Tomatoes (Plants)
  • Watermelon
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What Can I Plant this Month and Next Month?
August
  • Beans, Snap, Bush, Pole, Lima
  • Beets
  • Broccoli Seed
  • Brussels Sprouts (Seeds)
  • Bunching Onions
  • Cabbage Seed
  • Cantaloupe
  • Cauliflower Seed
  • Chard, Swiss Seed
  • Collards
  • Chinese Cabbage Seed
  • Cucumbers
  • Eggplant (Plants)
  • Kale (Seed)
  • Kohlrabi (Seed)
  • Mustard Greens
  • Peas, Southern
  • Pepper, Bell, Banana & Hot (Plants)
  • Rutabaga (Seeds)
  • Shallots
  • Summer Squash
  • Sunflowers
  • Tomatoes (Plants)
  • Turnip Greens
A resident of Hope House of Central Louisiana looks for fresh tomatoes to harvest during GFP's garden and nutrition class held onsite.
Good Food Project Recipe of the Month
Super Fast Stir Fry

Ingredients:  
2 Cloves garlic, chopped or smashed
1/2 Cup chopped onions
2 Tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
1 Bunch of broccoli (about 1 lb.)
2 Tablespoons olive oil
1/2 -1 Cup water or beef broth (can substitute beef or chicken broth as well)
2 Tablespoons corn starch
1-2 Cups mixed fresh vegetables of your choice-Ex: Sugar snap peas, mushrooms, red and green peppers, carrots, celery asparagus, bean sprouts, shredded cabbage
Seasonings of your choice
Optional: pre-cooked beef or chicken  
Directions:
Wash and pre-cut all vegetables and have them nearby as you prepare this dish (about 1/4 inch thick slices)
In a deep skillet or wok, over high heat, sauté the onions and garlic in oil until transparent
Add broccoli, stir-fry for 2 minutes, add peppers and other firm vegetables, stir-frying for about 2 minutes each time. Finish with softer veggies like sugar snap peas and mushrooms. Add extra soy sauce as needed during cooking
Mix water or broth with corn starch, stir well. Add to veggies, cook and stir occasionally, until sauce thickens.
Add meat if desired
Serve over brown rice or quinoa
 
Quick, Super Nutritious Meal!
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Note Worthy News from GFP
Good Food Project staff and Advisory Council member, and Food Bank Board member, Melissa Hill, conducted a cooking demonstration for the summer youth camp participants at the City of Alexandria Parks and Recreation Center on Sylvester Street. The Super Fast Stir Fry recipe from above was prepared and served to approximately 120 children participating in the program from the Food Bank's Nutrition on Wheels truck at the camp site location.
Be a Good Food Project Volunteer - Adults and Youth learn how to grow their own food and how to serve their community!
If you or your group is interested in volunteering for Work Day Wednesday or at one of our partner gardens, 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/
July Scenes and Tips From Around Cenla
Start planning and planting what you want to grow in your fall garden this month. Seeds of cabbage, broccoli and other cruciferous plants can go in the ground now!
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Above: A Pineville Youth Center Garden Club participant uses her finger tip to create a bunch of grapes as an art project. Garden club kids share experiences in garden maintenance, garden and nutrition lessons that encompass a curriculum that includes science, technology, engineering/English, art, and math.

Pineville Youth Center Garden Club kids and their chickens weed the garden!
Louisiana Tech college student, Courtney Hammons volunteered at GFP and the Food Bank this month. As a future nutritionist and as a Miss Louisiana pageant top 10 participant, she wants to gain hands-on experiences in her field of study! Thanks, Courtney! It was a pleasure to meet you!
Remember to get your tickets for Good Food Project's Premier Fundraising Event scheduled for Thursday, October 4, 2018 at the GFP demonstration garden! Great local food, drink, music, and fellowship in a magical setting! Savor the Season Garden Party!! Tickets available at www.e ventbrite.com