July 2021
"Celebrating the red, white, and blueberry," Potsdam Food Co-Op. Potsdam, NY.
Image courtesy of the Farm-to-Table Initiative led by Cornell Cooperative Extension of St. Lawrence County.
GardenShare’s Spring Campaign Making a Difference!
Thanks to the generosity of the community, GardenShare is making great progress towards its goal to raise $20, 000 to support our mission in 2021. So far this year, GardenShare has raised $8024 from Friends, which provides much-needed funding for our work promoting local food, supporting farmers markets and improving access to food through programs like Bonus Bucks.
 
To those who’ve lent a hand and have made a donation, GardenShare thanks you! For those who would like to, please click the donate button below.
Farmers Market Incentive Programs are Here
It's July and that means many farmers market programs have begun, like Double Up Food Bucks, WIC and Senior Farmers Market checks, Fresh Connect checks, and CNY Health Bucks. Our Farmers Market Customer Guide lists all the programs our local farmers participate in and how to take advantage of them.

Here are the highlights:
  • Double Up Food Bucks is now available at Canton, Gouverneur, Hammond, Massena (when it opens), and Potsdam.
  • Double Up Food Bucks is also offered at Martin's Farmstand and Whitten Family Farm using a loyalty card model.
  • WIC and Senior FMNP checks will be distributed at the farmers markets this season. Check the schedules below.
  • Fresh Connect Checks are available for veterans and their families. Pick up only. Veterans may stop by the Massena Office located on the 2nd Floor of the Massena Town Hall at 60 Main St., Massena, NY from 8am-9am on most weekdays, and 3pm-4pm on Mondays and Fridays or call the office to coordinate an alternate time period if needed. (315)705-2120. They will also be distributed at the farmers markets. Check schedule below.
Senior Check Schedule:
July WIC Check Schedule:
Fresh Connect Check Schedule:
  • Canton Farmers Market: Friday on July 9th and Tuesdays beginning July 13th
  • Akwesasne and Hammond Farmer’s Markets: Wednesdays beginning July 7th
  • Ogdensburg and Gouverneur Farmers Markets: Alternating Thursdays beginning in Ogdensburg July 8th and Gouverneur July 15th
Growing Our Minds
This month's recommended read from our Outreach & Education Committee is Leanne Brown's Good and Cheap: Eat Well on $4/Day. The cookbook is available for free online and features tons of delicious recipes.

With Double Up Food Bucks beginning this month and more and more veggies becoming available at the farmers markets, it's the perfect time to try some new, veggie-packed recipes. Nourish your body and give yourself the energy to do all sorts of fun summer activities!
Image courtesy of books.leannebrown.com
Meet our Intern: Derek Sherrange
Name: Derek Sherrange

Hometown and Current town of residence: My hometown is Argyle New York and I currently live in Salem New York

Role at GardenShare: SLU PIC Intern/Community Food Heroes Profiler 

How long? I have been at GardenShare for 2 weeks and I will be here for 8 weeks altogether. 

Why do you do what you do at GardenShare?
I am committed to creating a food system that accommodates everyone’s right to consume healthy, sustainable, and culturally appropriate food. At GardenShare I am tasked with documenting the stories of community food heroes in St. Lawrence County. I think it is incredibly important to uplift the stories of everyday people doing that work because I believe those are the people are who truly sustain our food system.

Role outside of GardenShare: I am a student at St. Lawrence University majoring in Global Studies and International Economics

Hobbies: Reading, staying active (gym, yoga, swimming), writing, cooking, and traveling/exploring.

Most recent accomplishment: Recently I was the recipient of a Boren Award from the US federal government to study Hindi.

Last read? Reclaiming the Commons: Biodiversity, Traditional Knowledge, and the Rights of Mother Earth by Vandana Shiva

If you were a superhero, what would your power be? If I was a superhero my power would be teleportation so that I could go anywhere in the world in an instance.