Greetings of the season. 

In this month of short days and long nights, we celebrate the light that makes life possible, nourishing and beautiful. The SUN that shines down on the Asian pear trees growing in the FRESH Urban Farm and Education Center along Mercer Street; the sun that puts the bright red on our strawberries and deep blue on our thornless blackberries, that photosynthesizes all the nutrients in our Vates Collards and perpetual spinach. The light is the sun, but it is also the spark of possibility that can visualize garden plots and urban orchards and berry hedges where the eye sees vacant lots and derelict properties.

Can you support a new project for 2019?

Through the years, FRESH New London has been experimenting with how to distribute all the food we grow. In the past we have organized Mobile Markets and Community Supported Agriculture Shares, worked the Farmer’s Markets or just given food away. This year, the youth really enjoyed harvesting for and working a series of Pop Up Markets where people came and got produce and left a goodwill donation. Community members really enjoyed it too!

Conversations with people who frequented these Pop Up Markets led the staff to develop the idea of a Mission-CSA. And that is our new project for 2019! FRESH will grow produce for 10-15 families who are low-income and who would benefit from a weekly infusion of nutrient-rich fruit and vegetables. We estimate that this Mission-CSA will cost FRESH about $500. We will offer the CSA shares for free to qualified families.

Can you make a tax deductible contribution towards this effort? If yes, please follow THIS LINK to give electronically, or send a check to FRESH New London, PO Box 285, New London, CT 06320. 

Please give generously to support this new initiative.

With Appreciation,

Alicia McAvay and the Whole Staff of FRESH