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Published quarterly, The Serving covers backyard orcharding, fruit tree management, helpful harvest tips, and Giving Grove updates. Thank you for helping make a big impact with little orchards!
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Friends,
August marks another exciting time for an orchardist ... the beginning of harvest season! As I reflect upon this season, I feel strongly that the community built around an orchard is just as important as the fruit we grow.
As most of you know, The Giving Grove is more than just an urban orcharding organization. We are a village of urban growers, anti-hunger advocates, environmentalists, and community supporters. All year, we work toward a harvest where we can taste fresh, organically-grown fruit right off the tree and celebrate nature's bounty with our neighbors. It is a privilege to be in the beautiful green space an orchard provides - a privilege not all can enjoy.
For too long, the environmental and health benefits of dense tree canopy have been primarily available to affluent neighborhoods. We aim to change that by planting urban orchards in areas that have faced decades of disinvestment thanks to redlining and other inequities. An average 15-tree orchard can create over 4,000 square feet of tree-covered green space, helping clean the air and decrease temperatures.
Your support changes the urban landscape in cities across the nation. This harvest season, help us raise the funds necessary to create 20,000 square feet of tree-covered urban greenspace (as a thank you, we have some official Giving Grove swag to share!)
Visit this page today to support tree equity for urban neighborhoods, then share the link with your loved ones. Together, we can leverage little orchards to make a big impact on tree equity.
Happy Harvests!
Robert Reiman, CEO
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Hunger Free America Visits Giving Grove
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In early August, Joel Berg, CEO of Hunger Free America, traveled to Kansas City as part of an 8,000-mile coast-to-coast journey to spotlight the challenges of food insecurity. The Giving Grove hosted Joel for a discussion with anti-hunger activists, elected officials, and organizations, as well as an orchard tour.
"It was an honor to host Joel Berg at our Anti-Hunger Forum. Joel delivered an impassioned and informative presentation. He acknowledged how organizations like The Giving Grove are filling important gaps in our food systems, and he encouraged all of us to be aware of how those we serve experience multiple intersections of inequity beyond food insecurity, including wage and health disparities," said Ashley Williamson, Chief Replication Officer for The Giving Grove. "Joel encouraged all nonprofits and growing organizations to get engaged with food policy locally so that we can multiply our impacts. I hope other attendees also left with a renewed energy to continue to fight for food justice and to work alongside those who are most affected."
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Exciting New Partnership!
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The Giving Grove is thrilled to announce its new partnership with 1% For the Planet. 1% For the Planet represents a global network of businesses, individuals, and nonprofit organizations tackling our planet's most pressing environmental issues. They use the network to inspire businesses and individuals to support environmental nonprofits by donating 1% of their gross sales. 1% pairs businesses and individuals with approved environmental nonprofits (like The Giving Grove), creating high-impact partnerships that amplify the impact of charitable giving.
We look forward to future partnerships built through 1% For the Planet!
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And now something very delicious!
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Photo and recipe contributed by Aviva Delancy, Giving Grove orchard steward
Asian Pear Salsa
Ready in 15 minutes | Serves 6-8 people
Ingredients
1 lb Asian pears (10 small or 5 med)
1/2 sweet white onion, diced small
Juice of 1 lemon
1/2 bunch of fresh cilantro, roughly chopped
1 jalapeno, diced small
Kosher salt to taste
Preparation
1. Combine all the ingredients in a medium bowl and gently mix well. Season with more salt and/or lemon juice, if needed. Serve as is, or chill in the refrigerator for later.
Tips
This salsa is delicious served with corn or plantain chips. Serve with black beans and rice, grilled prawns, fish, or chicken.
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People are hungry, others are happy to give.
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Giving Grove Steward Spotlight
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The Giving Grove believes it's the orchard stewards who are doing the magic when it comes to providing fresh fruit and green space for their community. We like to thank them by spotlighting stewards from all over the country. This month, we highlighted Mitzvah Gardens in Kansas City.
Contributed by Gabriella Sonnenschein
"You just have to go there, and you'll keep coming back."
This is a common phrase among the Mitzvah Garden KC community. The magnetic force of this peaceful garden and orchard, nestled in Overland Park, Kansas, pulls people of all backgrounds to find happiness within themselves while serving others fresh, organic, and sustainable produce. Mitzvah Garden KC is home to a 71 tree orchard, planted in 2013.
It all started with the dedication of Ken Sonnenschein, farmer and physician, and his wife Sheila, who wanted to transform the backyard of their St. Louis synagogue in 1994. Starting with a mere 6 raised beds, the Mitzvah Garden was born. As the Sonnenschein family moved to Kansas City, they decided to move the garden. Expanded to 10 beds on the grounds of retirement home Village Shalom, Mitzvah Garden KC made its city debut.
Today, the garden stands on the grounds of The Temple, Congregation B’nai Jehudah, covering 64,000 square feet. Annually, nearly 10,000 pounds of produce are distributed among Greater Kansas City Area food pantries, including 300 pounds of honey and fruit from dozens of Giving Grove trees.
"Food pantries have reported a marked increase in users since the pandemic. Our mission, donating fresh vegetables and fruits, addresses a hidden need within an otherwise affluent community.” -Gay Handler, Volunteer Coordinator
Brenda Ruppel, full-time volunteer, adds “Especially since we were in the middle of a pandemic, so many people were in need, and we were helping to fulfill that need. That was my inspiration to keep this garden growing in 2020.”
Inspirational happenstances occur daily at Mitzvah Garden KC. From neighbors of 10 years walking through for the first time with a new puppy, to majestic bucks enjoying the fresh sunrise air, the land allows visitors to stare in shock at nature’s beauty. Events such as the Mitzvah Garden Campout and annual Honey Harvest allow newcomers to feel that gratification, even if just for a night.
To continue reading, follow this link. |
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