This summer, we’ve celebrated three years of partnership with Mustard Seed Farms in Cincinnati, OH. Through work with this farm, Produce Perks has been supporting healthy food purchases of Community Supported Agriculture shares. This is the equivalent of over $50,000- or over 70,000 servings- of fruits and veggies on the table for hundreds of Cincinnati families.
At the end of June, Produce Perks, along with the Cincinnati Health Department, The Cincinnati Metropolitan Housing Authority, and LaSoupe Cincinnati hosted a cooking class in the Winton Hills Neighborhood. Residents and community members could attend this demonstration at CSA pickup to learn new ways to use that week’s produce.
At the event, many neighborhood kids stopped by on their bikes to enjoy strawberries and try a carrot salad. Many people shared what they were excited to make with their produce, and what having access to this program meant to them.
“It’s nice to have the fresh produce” shared one mom, “It saves money and time that I can just pick it up here, and it’s good stuff. I’m not sure we’d be eating much produce otherwise” Her daughter chimed in “I tried green onions. I like them with ranch!”
Larnita and Deborah, pictured below, picked up their bags for the first time and shared that they were each excited to make collard greens and spinach-strawberry salads. “It’s great for summer, super refreshing!”
Mustard Seed farmer Marykate shared “We’re grateful for the opportunity to partner with Produce Perks Midwest. Their programming is getting the freshest local food where it’s needed most, while economically strengthening local food systems and farmers. A resilient local food system should be accessible to everyone, and Produce Perks is putting that into practice” while farmer Lindsey added “Food should be accessible for everyone.”
We’re grateful for these partnerships and our shared dedication to building healthy Ohio communities.
