#foodwastefriday: SVFR Quarterly Newsletter : March 2022
Did you miss the most recent Seven Valleys Food Rescue (SVFR) newsletter?
The SVFR Newsletter is a quarterly digital newsletter that contains the latest and greatest around what is happening with food rescue in the Cortland area. If you want to be added to our mailing list so our next newsletter comes right to your inbox, please go here to sign up. To get the scoop on how 2022 has kicked off at SVFR, just keep on scrolling…
Ringing in 2022 with SVFR!
To Date, We Have…
What’s New at the Start of 2022?
Secured a new monthly distribution site: Bread of Life food pantry
Welcomed a handful of new volunteers
Led NYS bi-monthly food rescue leader meeting
Attended Food Rescue Alliance member meetings
Attended Fresh Food Connect meetings (read more about Fresh Food Connect below)
Presented on SVFR activities at Center for Sustainable Community Solutions roundtable event
Partnered with Friendship Donations Network for a holiday food distribution
Participated in Feeding NYS webinar: Starting a Food Donation Program at your Business
Partner Spotlight: Main Street Farm’s Packshed Manager Karlyn Frendya
What inspires your work with Main Street Farms?
My work at the farm and with fresh, organic produce is inspired by a passion for community, food security and sovereignty, education, holistic well-being, and all the amazing relationships among these things. I grew up in the neighboring town of Homer and care deeply for this area. To work at Main Street Farms, and in coordination with Seven Valleys Food Rescue, to ensure that healthy food feeds our community is an honor.
What is your biggest challenge?
Vegetables aren't only a job for me. Last season, I produced hundreds of pounds of dozens of varieties at home, in addition to preserving about a quarter of the harvests for use over the winter. Balancing the demands of managing the pack shed for Main Street Farms and the upkeep of my personal gardens, is certainly a challenge, though hardly a problem in my eyes. Being completely surrounded by and immersed in food and being able to share it with my friends, family, and community brings me so much joy.
If you were a fruit or veggie, what would you be and why?
I think I would like to be a broccoli floret. An artist friend of mine never cared for it and always questioned why I ate the "little trees," which in turn made me think of Bob Ross's happy little trees. I like the idea of being a little tree, that's actually a flower, is wonderfully nutritious, comes from humble cabbage beginnings, and is typically met with enthusiastic love or disdain. When you can't please everyone, at least be happy, humble, and good!
Volunteer Spotlight: Avery Barber, SVHC and SVFR AmeriCorps Member
What inspired you to join AmeriCorps?
Really, I was just attracted to the job opening at Seven Valleys Health Coalition. I have a Bachelors degree in Sustainability and Food Systems and this position seemed like a perfect fit. I am elated to be using my education here in the community I grew up in. Being an AmeriCorps member definitely has its perks; there is a ton of opportunity for networking and it is a great resume booster!
What have you been working on at Seven Valleys Health Coalition?
My work includes all things food systems related! Here is a snapshot of what I’ve been up to:
Created two SVFR Newsletters
Surveyed community members about their perceptions of the Cortland County Agriculture Branding initiative
Completed three food rescues
Learned so much about our local food system
Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
In 5 years I hope to be continuing to work on building food sovereignty, both locally and in a larger context. Ideally, I will also be building my homestead so that I can work toward living a more self-sufficient lifestyle. I have always wanted to be the owner/operator of a living and learning farm where folks can stay and learn about food production. In my opinion, one of the most important steps in food sovereignty is reconnecting consumers to the roots (pun intended) of their food.
Planning a Donation Garden
Spring is almost here and that means garden planning is in full swing. Consider planting an extra row (or two) in your garden for donation! Many food pantries and other food assistance organizations have difficulty sourcing fresh fruits and vegetables. By donating your excess bounty, you can help offset that need!
Check out this blog post by Fresh Food Connect for some tips and tricks on how to make your donation garden more successful.
As Seven Valleys Food Rescue program continues to grow, we are committed to understanding how best to create a food rescue program that serves our community well. To do this means we need to first understand what the most pressing food waste issues in our neighborhoods are!
If you would be willing to share your food waste habits with us by taking a quick survey, we would be so grateful! (Or if you have already taken it, would you be willing to share it with your friends and neighbors?)
