4 minute read
Pandemic Pantry Tactics
From the Board
continued from page 2
Mollie is particularly proud of the foundation being laid for HWFC’s new Anti-Racism Committee. She described July’s Board meeting as a great idea, “almost like an extra meeting tacked on to the regular agenda.” Although Directors could have called for a separate meeting on one specific topic, the combination proved powerful; that virtual meeting welcomed a record 65 participants, presenting wonderful energy and robust dialogue.
A 2nd orientation might allow more camaraderie via small working groups.
How can we better educate Membership about governance right from the beginning?
ENC has contemplated this question for several months and has considered holding second Owner orientations specifically related to governance. Having sponsored two workshops in 2019–20, “ENC is taking that issue by the horns” now that we are well past the election scurry. Such an offering would be crafted as an invitation, promoted as a chance to earn hours, and framed as an expectation to meet.
What advice would you give to those looking to become involved in governance?
Joining a committee (such as the ENC or the Membership Committee) and/or attending a Board meeting are good first steps. Even if the agenda is not of particular interest, Mollie described being there to see how members act with each other and attendees as “extraordinarily useful.”
Look for additional news from members of the Board of Directors in upcoming months.
Food Security During a Pandemic
by Susan Andrews
Like most individuals, my initial response to the pandemic, and the subsequent lockdown, was sheer panic. My reaction then was to stock up on a few staples and fill the pantry with items that could keep me going for a while, such as dried beans, tomato sauce, pasta, and flour.
Unfortunately, everyone else had the same idea and the few staples became nearly impossible to find, and going from store to store was not an option. I am not a fan of online ordering, preferring to keep my money local. It was time for me to put together a strategy, a real plan to ensure good, healthy food on the family table.
My first thought was to join a CSA.
Community Supported Agriculture is a partnership between the farm and the customers it serves. Having a guaranteed market for products provides a multitude of benefits to both farmers and customers, including: customers knowing where their food comes from and who is growing it, better wages for people working on the farm, humanely raised livestock, and less waste (you grow only what people will eat).
I searched the internet and was able to identify several such local farms that provided organic vegetables. Seeing a familiar name (Georgia Sullivan from Honest Weight’s Grocery Department) listed as one of the Albany dropoff sites, I decided to buy a half vegetable share at Roxbury Farm, located in Columbia County. Roxbury offers full and half shares, as do most other CSAs in the region.
As COVID cases climbed in New York, I realized that I needed to look beyond the standard vegetable share. I called Roxbury and added a fruit share and then a chicken share. After another several weeks of increased COVID cases I added a beef share. Roxbury also offers pork and egg shares but I missed out on those. As I said earlier, everyone had the same thought in mind. I am currently contemplating Roxbury’s fall share, as it’s likely we could be in for a rather long haul with this virus.
I know what you’re thinking: “where is she going to put all of this food?”
To be honest, I never even thought of that. Luckily, the food is distributed throughout the season. I’ve been receiving my veggies and fruit each Tuesday, and to date I have received part of my chicken and beef shares. There is still lots more to come. But I did buy a freezer, which was also part of my food security plan. I no longer need to grocery shop on a weekly basis, which is something that the Co-op has strongly recommended. Fewer trips, less potential for virus exposure.
Honestly, I don’t know how I ever lived without a freezer. Did you know that you can freeze items like butter and milk? I have even washed, dried, and stacked greens like collards and kale for use in soups and stews during the winter months. With the scorching heat this summer, I have been able to ditch canning and freeze produce instead.
There are a number of CSAs in the Capital Region, although by now many have been filled for the season. Fox Creek Farm actually delivers shares to its customers right in the Co-op parking lot on Mondays between 4 and 6 pm. For those interested in understanding more about local CSAs, the internet is a great source. One good site is Localharvest.org.
