Did you know that both SNAP and P-EBT benefits can be used to purchase seeds and food-producing plants? And, if you need help with starting a food garden, check out OKT’s growing tips in Growing Community, Justice, & Food or drop us an email!
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Program for Growth plants early cold crops
Last week, under the direction of OKT’s consulting farmer, Kelsey Hakeem, garden coaches from OKT’s Program for Growth distributed cold-crops for end-of-April planting: chard, kale, parsley, and chives.
The garden coaches observed strict social distancing guidelines and suited up with head coverings, protective jumpsuits, masks and gloves. Planting instructions are being shared via text and email. Plants are now in the ground at MLK Jr. Leadership Academy and several Program for Growth participant’s home gardens.
MIFMA provides farmers market guidelines for P-EBT
As part of the federal response to COVID-19 a program, P-EBT/Pandemic EBT will provide food assistance to Michigan families that participate in free or reduced lunches at school. The Michigan Farmers Market Association has released the following information to help farmers accept these benefits at farmers markets.
And, here is information on the program for consumers:
Two more weeks to shop the farmers’ market!
Last chance to stock upon clean local produce for winter!
On Nov. 2, three community partners will be providing information and resources:
Grand Rapids Fire Department Residential Safety Program. The RSP is a voluntary program to prevent fires. The goal is to reduce the number and severity of fires. It offers:
- Fire safety checks
- Free smoke alarm upgrades and installations
- Free carbon monoxide (CO) alarm installations
- One-on-one fire safety consultation
Grand Rapids Creative Youth Center. CYC offers after school creative writing programming to Grand Rapids youth (1st graders through high school seniors) at no cost to families.
Grand Rapids Public Library “Storytimes” Fun and educational storytimes for children ages birth – 5 years old.
Southeast Area Farmers’ Market at LINC Saturday 10/19
Southeast Area Farmers’ Market
11 a.m. – 4 p.m. Saturdays
Oct. 19, Nov. 2 & 9 at
LINC parking lot, Madison Ave.
just north of Hall St. SE 49507
Oct. 26 at MLK Jr. Park,
900 Fuller Ave. SE 49506
Only four weeks remain to shop at the Southeast Area Farmers’ Market! On Saturday Oct. 19, the market meets at LINC. The harvest is abundant and it’s a great time to but fresh local veggies to freeze or can for the winter months ahead.
The Grand Rapids Creative Youth Center (CYC) will be sharing information at the Southeast Area Farmers’ Market Saturday Oct. 19 and 26. CYC offers after school creative writing programming to Grand Rapids youth (1st graders-High School Seniors) at no cost to families. All programs take place at Jubilee Jobs in the Baxter Community Center. Come join the adventure! Registration for Fall 2 is now open! Fall 2 : November 11 – December 19 – 5 week (NO Class November 25-29).
In all classes students will work to write and edit content for The Book of Explosions, the CYC’s annual anthology of student writing. Students explore various genres and techniques, learning about poetry, narrative, or nonfiction. Students will have the opportunity to share their work in an informal performance at the end of the class term in the classrooms as well as being invited to share their work at an open microphone event at a local business at the end of the term.
Mondays :
Afterschool Adventure – 3rd-5th grade – Book Club 4-5 pm, Creative Writing 5-6 pm – 12 total spaces
Wednesdays :
- Afterschool Adventure – 1st & 2nd grade – Book Club 4-5, Creative Writing 5-6 – 12 total spaces
- Amplify – Middle School, 4-6 pm at Jubilee Jobs in the Baxter Community Center – 14 total spaces
- Craft – High School, 6:15pm-7:45pm at Jubilee Jobs in the Baxter Community Center – 10 total spaces
Contact KAIT by email: kait@creativeyouthcenter.org or by phone (616) 458-5505 to request.
Other community partners at the market on the 19th include the Grand Rapids Public Library Storytime program and United Healthcare with information on accessing free benefits if you have Medicare and/or Medicaid.
Southeast Area Farmers’ Market at LINC Saturday
Southeast Area Farmers’ Market
- 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. Saturdays
- Oct. 12, 19, Nov. 2 & 9 at
LINC parking lot, Madison Ave.
just north of Hall St. SE 49507 - Oct. 26 at MLK Jr. Park,
900 Fuller Ave. SE 49506
Only five weeks remain to shop at the Southeast Area Farmers’ Market! On Saturday Oct. 12, the market meets at LINC. The harvest is abundant and it’s a great time to but fresh local veggies to freeze or can for the winter months ahead.
Community partner, United Healthcare, is sending its Kent County community outreach coordinator, Molly Carpenter, to share information on accessing free benefits if you have Medicare and/or Medicaid.
Grand Rapids Food Co-op hosts Jon Steinman, author of Grocery Story
Tuesday, October 22 7-9 pm
DGRI Conference Room, 29 Pearl St. NW.
Admission is free
Grand Rapids Food Co-op is hosting Jon Steinman, author of Grocery Story, an in depth exploration of cooperative grocery stores and how they differ from the commercial sector. Jon will be offering an engaging presentation with time for discussion, book signing.
Who Owns Your Grocery Store?
New book about consumer-owned grocery stores pulls back the curtain on the grocery giants. Food has become ground-zero in our efforts to increase awareness of how our choices impact the world. Yet while we have begun to transform our communities and dinner plates, the most authoritative strand of the food web has received surprisingly little attention: the grocery store―the epicenter of our food-gathering ritual.
Through penetrating analysis and inspiring stories and examples of American and Canadian food co-ops, Grocery Story makes a compelling case for the transformation of the grocery store aisles as the emerging frontier in the local and good food movements. Author Jon Steinman:
- Deconstructs the food retail sector and the shadows cast by corporate giants
- Makes the case for food co-ops as an alternative
- Shows how co-ops spur the creation of local food-based economies and enhance low-income food access.
Grocery Story is for everyone who eats. Whether you strive to eat more local and sustainable food, or are in support of community economic development, Grocery Story will leave you hungry to join the food co-op movement in your own community.
Jon Steinman is the producer and host of the internationally syndicated radio show and podcast Deconstructing Dinner (2006-2010) and of Deconstructing Dinner: Reconstructing our Food System – a television and web series currently streaming online. Jon was an elected director from 2006-2016 of the Kootenay Co-op – Canada’s largest independent retail consumer food co-op, serving as Board President from 2014-2016. He lives in Nelson, British Columbia. www.deconstructingdinner.com
