Feeding The Need: Making It Visible

by The Sustainability Steward

On October 18^th, I attended the Feeding the Need: Making It Visible Luncheon sponsored by the Seven Loaves Community of St. Andrew United Methodist Church in Plano.  Because the Seven Loaves Community food pantry is a recipient of the produce from the Plano Community Garden, I wanted to attend to learn more about the plight of the homeless and hungry in Collin County.

The guest speaker was Texas Senator Florence Shapiro from District 8, the district that includes PCG, and she gave a very powerful speech about the growth of the homeless in our community.  What makes this even more alarming is that the zip code of St. Andrew and the Plano Community Garden, 75093, is the third wealthiest zip code in the eastern half of the DFW Metroplex. 

Senator Shapiro shared with us how the homeless population has increased over 200% in the past three years in Collin County, and that an unbelieveable 14% of the citizens now in our county are food insecure.  In fact, 60% of the homeless interviewed are employed, though under-employed, and the availability of food has become the largest need now among those in poverty in our area.  She ended her speech by sharing with us the Eight Levels of Charity as described by the great philosopher, Maimonides.  Maimonides taught that by sharing one’s talents and gifts with others in order to strengthen them so they no longer are a burden on others, one is exhibiting the greatest level of charity.  Senator Shapiro then applauded the Plano community for its charity and, more importantly, by “teaching others to fish”, providing a means to those around us to help pull themselves out of poverty and hunger.

The Plano Community Garden is one way to help alleviate hunger in our area.  By adopting and agreeing to care for a plot in the PCG, one agrees to maintain a garden plot year round and provide half of one’s grown produce to the area food pantries in Plano, including the Seven Loaves pantry operated by St. Andrew United Methodist.  All water, mulch and compost in the PCG is provided at no charge to the gardener by the city of Plano, and, more importantly, one receives the satisfaction of helping to alleviate hunger in the area.  If interested in learning more about the garden and the opportunities that it offers, please log on to the URL below and find out more:

http://www.plano.gov/DEPARTMENTS/ENVIRONMENTAL%20SERVICES/EDUCATION/FACILITIES/Pages/PlanoCommunityGarden.aspx

The Sustainability Steward

Be Green by Eating Green

Have you ever thought about being green by eating green?  You can easily do so by joining a Community Supported Agriculture Program (CSA)! 
So what exactly is a community supported agriculture program (CSA), you ask?

A CSA is an alternative, locally based socio-economic model of agriculture and food distribution that brings together local farmers and consumers.  Basically, a nearby farm offers their harvest to local consumers through a subscription that varies according to the duration and quantity wanted.  Once you are subscribed, you will be getting boxes of the freshest seasonal produce available!

 
CSA programs benefit our environment in so many ways from reduction in environmental waste to promoting healthier soil and land.  CSA farmers participate in eco-friendly farming by cutting out any use of pesticides on their crops, which helps to limit pollution throughout our environment.  In addition, carbon dioxide emissions are reduced by the minimal transportation needed by these farmers to get their produce from their farms to local consumers.  Their sustainable practices enhance the overall quality of our environment while also reducing their carbon footprint.

Healthy soil means a healthier you.  CSA programs benefit you because these farmers are pesticide, artificial fertilizers, and toxin free.  You have the opportunity to consume some of the freshest produce available and for a reasonable price.  Most of the time you’ll realize that you get higher quality and more produce for your money from these CSA bins than when would had you purchased your produce from a grocery store.  CSA programs also give you the freedom of choice.  You get to choose which farm you prefer to receive your produce from, which farmer you believe promotes the best sustainability methods, and whether or not the program aligns with your budget.  Depending on the farm, you’ll receive an array of produce and have the opportunity to experience fruits and vegetables according to seasons.  Sometimes you may see produce you’ve never seen or heard of, but it allows you and your family to experience something new.  And who knows, it could turn out to be your new favorite fruit or vegetable!

A farmer benefits from a CSA program as this gives him or her a secure income year round, allowing them to continually improve their farming methods and environmental practices.  They have a fair means of product sales as they sell their produce straight to consumers with no middleman required.  This also gives them the chance to be more involved in the community, meeting new people, consumers, and other farmers.

If you’re interested in participating in a CSA, these are some great places to start:

-          http://www.ecovian.com/s?perpage=10&distance=60&searchwithin=40&searchtext=&spatial=Plano%2C+TX

-          http://www.localharvest.org/search.jsp?map=1&lat=33.05765&lon=-96.73746&scale=8&ty=6&nm=&zip=75023

These sites allow you to search for CSA programs near you as well as what their practices may be.  They each have their individual websites where you can learn more about them and email/call them for more information about their programs and prices.  Each farm has their own growing seasons, pick up/drop off schedules, and agriculture practices. 

Don’t forget that you have the ability to visit these farms to see where it all begins and how it gets from farm to table.  It’s a wonderful experience for families to share with their children and a great way to get out of the house during these long summer days.

So by joining a CSA, not only are you going green and helping to make Plano greener, but you’re also saving money, improving your health and wellness, and most importantly, improving your quality of life and those around you.

Keep thinking green,

KrisC

Staying Green in Your Bedroom

Hi again! It's been a while, but I hope everyone's doing well in 2012 and keeping up with their green resolutions. (: Well, I'm back this week with more suggestions on how to stay green, but this time for your bedroom.

1. Unplug your chargers when your phones are done charging- Though your phone may not be hooked up to the charger, that doesn't mean it's not using electricity. Whether or not the phone is connected to the charger doesn't make a difference, as long as the charger is plugged into the wall, it's using electricity. Which means not only is there electricity being wasted, but you're unnecessarily wasting money on unneeded electricity.

2. Recycle your batteries- Instead of chucking your batteries in the trash can once they're done, collect them, and once you have a substantial amount, send them to your local battery recycling center. Often times, you can take it back to the place from where you purchased the batteries, and they'll gladly take them for you.

3. Keep your blinds open and your lights off- As long as there is still plenty of sunlight outside, try keeping your blinds open and lights off. This way you'll be saving electricity, and your room might even become warmer!

4. Turn your computer completely off at night- Although your plugs will still be connected to the wall, you'll be using less energy by turning off your computer.

5. Reuse scrap paper- Print on two sides, or let your kids color on the back side of the used paper.

Hopefully these tips keep you busy for this week, and you work to make them a part of you everyday schedule!

Until next time,
greengirl (: