Green Gate Farms: Welcome to Spring CSA, Week 2! Black Women in Business, and more!
Farm News:
- The Flower CSA begins today! Make sure to grab your bouquet from your pick-up site at their listed hours.
- Farm Stand and REKO Ring Are Open! Come by the city farm on Saturdays from 10-12 to support our farmstand. To join our Reko Ring online ordering group follow this link!
* Flower Power Workshares: Learn how to cultivate organic cut flowers this spring. Farmer Erin is putting her team together for the season...Apply here
- Spring Veggie Workshares: Learn to grow organic veggies with us at the farm. Follow this link to apply!
- We're hiring! Seeking a farm manager and seasonal workers. See www.greengatefarms.net for more information!
- Green Gate Gift Cards Available Need something special for your friends and family? Give the gift of fresh, organic food! We have Farm Bucks for all your celebrations.
Green Gate Farms Partners with Black Women In Business!
We are excited to announce that through the support of one of our CSA members we are partnering with Black Women In Business to help get healthy food to the people of Austin! Learn more about their organization below:
Green Gate Farms collard greens and green onions delivered to the Austin community by BWIB last week.
During the time of COVID-19, the organization Black Women in Business (BWIB) pivoted its efforts from the success of their own work to help others in need. After the founder Rose Smith's mother was put into quarantine because she was in a high-risk demographic, Rose began to wonder how other vulnerable Black seniors would be able to get food and other necessities if they were in the same situation without daughters nearby. The work began with Rose Smith utilizing her own income and encouraging other members of the community to buy extra items for their neighbors in need, and grew into an organized boots-on-the-ground operation overnight. Over the past year, the demand for food and basic needs in Austin grew daily. At the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, BWIB served the needs of more than eight apartment complexes in East Austin (500 prepared meals per week!) and 800 individual homes. Their efforts have continued to grow as BWIB has continued to be responsive to the city's ever-growing needs.
One early philanthropic partner of Black Women in Business was the G&J Giving Circle based in Austin, Texas. From the momentum of the G&J Giving Circle, a grassroots group of community members (nickname: The Intentionalist) have come together to sponsor bulk locally grown organic food from Green Gate Farms. The organic produce is delivered to BWIB's East Austin operations center, which is then distributed to seniors and families across East Austin.
Green Gate Farms collard greens and green onions delivered to the Austin community by BWIB last week.
These efforts support Black Women in Business and Green Gate Farms in their mutual goals of improving food systems, eliminating food insecurity, and decreasing gaps in health outcomes. While this started as a relief effort to address the Covid-19 pandemic, the partnership between Green Gate Farms and Black Women in Business will continue to address food security needs beyond the pandemic.
For more information on the Intentionalist:
The Intentionalist is an alliance of local community leaders, organizations, artists, and small businesses in Austin working together to provide an environment for local problems to be addressed and solved through:
Hyper-Localism & Community Bonds Curated Events and Partnerships Capacity Supports for Nonprofits & Small Businesses
We believe that this framework can be scaled across varied regions accounting for the appropriate community conditions and celebrating local residents' knowledge and experiences. An official launch of community partners and initiatives will be released (tentatively) in summer 2021.
To learn more, donate to, or get involved with Black Women In Busniess, please check out their website here!
Spring CSA - Week 2 Veggie Share
- Beets
- Red Radishes
- Bok Choy
- White Russian Kale
- Garlic Chives
- Arugula
- Fennel Fronds
Food and Flower Snapshot
- Veggie CSA Spring Season, 10 weeks: March 31st - June 2nd
- $25 each week, prorated
- 5 pick-up locations, Wed/Sat; no home deliveries
- Additional vegetables, herbs, flowers and specialty items (e.g., pickled okra, plants for your garden, etc.) posted every Wednesday on Green Gate’s private Facebook page; touchless pickup at our intown farm is on Saturdays, 10-noon. (8310 Canoga Ave., Austin 78724)
- Volunteers welcome at both farms. More information on our website.
- Got a question about your CSA share? Contact your Community Organizer, the volunteer who manages your pickup site and handles any issues that might arise.
Recipes From Kalina:
Spicy Quick Pickled Radishes - This is a great way to use your radishes this week! I like to make these pickles and then add them to sandwiches and salads throughout the week!
https://cookieandkate.com/spicy-quick-pickled-radishes/15-Minute Sesame Noodles with Bok Choy - Quick, simple, and delicious!
15-Minute Sesame Ginger Noodles - Choosing Chia
Looking for a quick dinner? These 15-Minute Sesame Ginger Noodles are vegan, gluten-free, and loaded with fresh and simple ingredients!
Fennel Frond Salad Dressing by Kalina:
I have been making this salad dressing each week, and I finally perfected the recipe so that I can share it with all of you! It is fresh and creamy. It’s great on salad or on steamed veggies!
Ingredients: 3 tbsp olive oil Juice from one lemon ½ cup chopped fennel fronds 2 tbsp chopped parsley (if you have it) 1 clove of garlic 2 tbsp goat cheese Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions: Combine all ingredients in a blender or food processor until smooth and creamy. Toss arugula and lettuce in the salad dressing and enjoy!
Also remember folks, when in doubt, make pesto! Fennel fronds, radish greens, and garlic chives all go great in the versatile sauce!