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!


Third Annual North Alexandria Community Garden "Potato Dig" and Fish Fry


The North Alexandria Community Garden on the corner of North 15th and Ashley is Good Food Project's premier community garden that has existed for four years now. Under the leadership of GFP lead volunteer/Advisory Council member and community leader, Don Bullock, the garden has become a teaching and community engagement model. Produce grown here goes to members of the neighborhood.

This year's annual potato dig and fish fry fellowship for the people of the old "Oil Mill Quarters" was a great success due to Food Bank board members, volunteers, and family and friends of the Food Bank and GFP staff. Due to the efforts of adults and children, this inter-generational event netted over 200 pounds of produce. The harvest included red potatoes, carrots, and green beans for 20 neighborhood families with the remainder given to Manna House Ministry for it's meals for the homeless.

A fried fish dinner with fresh spring greens, carrots, beets, and beet green salad was served with Cajun seasoned, buttered, parsley potatoes, and Berry Brite salad to approximately 50 individuals.

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

Work Day Wednesday at the demonstration garden - harvesting red potatoes

May
  • Amaranth
  • Basil
  • Beans - Bush, Lima, Pole, Snap, Yard-long
  • Bergamot
  • Cantaloupes
  • Chard, Swiss
  • Collards
  • Corn, Sweet
  • Cucumbers
  • Cucuzzi Squash
  • Cushaw
  • Eggplant (Plants)
  • Garlic Chives
  • Gourds (of various kinds - luffas)
  • Hyssop
  • Kale
  • Kohlrabi
  • Lemon Balm
  • Lemon Verbena
  • Mexican Oregano
  • Mexican Tarragon
  • Lettuce
  • Mints
  • Mirliton
  • Mustard Greens
  • Spinach (Malabar & New Zealand)
  • Okra
  • Oregano
  • Peanuts
  • Peas, Southern
  • Pepper, Bell & Hot (Plants)
  • Potatoes, Sweet
  • Pumpkin
  • Rosemary
  • Sesame
  • Soybeans (Edible)
  • Sweet potatoes (Slips or rooted cuttings)
  • Summer Squash
  • Tomatoes (Plants)
  • Watermelon
  • Yard-Long Beans
  • Yarrow
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What Can I Plant this Month and Next Month?
June
  • Amaranth
  • Bergamot
  • Basil
  • Beans - Bush, Lima, Pole, Snap, Yard-long
  • Bergamot
  • Cantaloupes
  • Collards
  • Corn, Sweet
  • Cucumbers
  • Cucuzzi Squash
  • Cushaw
  • Eggplant (Plants)
  • Garlic Chives
  • Gourds (of various kinds - luffas)
  • Hyssop
  • Kale
  • Kohlrabi
  • Lemon Balm
  • Lemon Verbena
  • Luffa gourds
  • Mexican Oregano
  • Mexican Tarragon
  • Mints
  • Mirliton
  • Mustard Greens
  • Spinach (Malabar & New Zealand)
  • Okra
  • Oregano
  • Peanuts
  • Peas, Southern
  • Pepper, Bell & Hot (Plants)
  • Potatoes, Sweet
  • Pumpkin
  • Rosemary
  • Sesame
  • Soybeans (Edible)
  • Sweet potatoes (Slips or rooted cuttings)
  • Summer Squash
  • Sunflowers
  • Tomatoes (Plants)
  • Watermelon
  • Yard-Long Beans
  • Yarrow
Pineville Youth Center Garden Club Participants harvested an abundance of green beans this month
Good Food Project Recipe of the Month
Cajun Seasoned Red Potatoes with Butter and Parsley
Red Irish potatoes are planted in January and February in central Louisiana and harvested in May. Many of Good Food Project partner gardens harvested an abundance of red potatoes this month. A favorite recipe used at our annual potato dig and fish fry are these spicy Cajun-style "new" potatoes with butter and fresh parsley. 
Ingredients:
·          1 1/2 - 2 pounds red potatoes washed and quartered
·          2 Ounces Cajun Crab boil (garlic and onion flavored is good)
·          2 Sticks salted butter - clarified
·          1/4 Cup chopped flat leaf parsley
·          Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:
1.      Place potatoes in a large stock pot and cover with about 2 inches of cold water - bring to a boil - add 1 teaspoon salt.
2.       Reduce to a rolling simmer and cook until fork tender and skin is pulling away from potato (about 20 minutes)
3.       While potatoes are boiling, heat butter in a small sauce pan on low until milk solids form on top - remove solids with a spoon until butter is clear.
4.    Chop parsley
5. Drain potatoes well 
6.     Place potatoes in a 9X13 baking dish - salt and pepper to taste, use a seasoning salt of your choice like Lawry's or Mrs. Dash - sprinkle with parsley and then drizzle butter - serve immediately as a side or wrap tightly and heat on a low-oven to serve later
Serve as a Nutritious Side Dish
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Note Worthy News from GFP
Good Food Project will partner with the City of Alexandria Youth Camp this summer where kids will be a part of a garden and nutrition class each Monday afternoon. They will learn about planting and maintaining summer crops, learn about healthy snacks and participate in food preparation. Four new raised garden beds have been installed and are waiting to be planted with the youth program participants on Monday, June 4th. GFP will work closely with Courtney Paige, Special Events Coordinator for the city. Approximately 125 kids will participate in this program.
Be a Good Food Project Volunteer - Help youth learn how to grow their own food!
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/
May Scenes and Tips Around Cenla
Early in the month, the Children's Advocacy Network had a great spring work day to plant tomatoes and peppers in their new raised planters provided by Good Food Project! Their garden area is so peaceful and pretty! Kudos to the staff!
Natchitoches Junior High students harvest carrots early in the under the leadership of school sponsor, Jacquelyn Rainwater - they harvested red potatoes later this month.
Louisiana Special Education Center added to their colorful mural this month. It looks amazing! Great job! What an inspirational spot for the students
Mabel Brasher Elementary students harvest their red potato crop under the leadership of P.E. teacher, Alison Jowers. Great job!

Garden Tip : For squash vine borers- sprinkle diatomaceous earth early when plants are small - later look for "sawdust" or "frass" - insert a hooked wire, run it up the stem to grab the borer and pull it out, add soil over wound in the stem to re-root.
North Alexandria Community Garden Annual Potato Dig and Fish Fry Scenes