Current, Potential & Past Projects
On Saturday October 22nd, 2011 GreenStar Community Projects will host Ithaca's first annual Food Justice Summit to mobilize locally for food sovereignty and raise funds to support food justice projects, specifically Ithaca Community Harvest and the work of GreenStar to create a system of regional food sustainability that promotes health, equity, and community control of essential resources. The event includes a walk-a-thon in the morning and block party celebration in the afternoon. Walk up to 5 miles around Ithaca visiting neighborhood and school gardens, then end at the bock party where the streets will be closed in the Northside neighborhood to celebrate with live music, a local organic BBQ, guest speakers, youth activities and much more. Make a donation or pledge to support GreenStar's walk-a-thon team at a GreenStar register. For more info visit
http://www.GreenStarCommunityProjects.org/FJS/
Ithaca Community Harvest (ICH)
In March of 2010 GreenStar Community Projects partnered with the VIllage at Ithaca, the Greater Ithaca Activities Center, Southside Community Center and the Ithaca City School District to launch a community-wide initiative to create, sustain and expand a sustainable local food system that provides access to an abundance (both quantity and diversity) of seasonal produce to youth and families in Ithaca’s public schools, with particular focus on historically marginalized populations. ICH is a collaborative effort of a diversity of stakeholders including farmers, school administrators, activists/concerned citizens, nutritionists and many community organizations who share food access and equity goals.
Educational Resources
GreeenStar Community Projects, Inc. produced a 2009-2010 academic calendar for families in the Ithaca City School District to help support healthy, seasonal eating through improved access to fresh, locally grown food throughout the year. Each month features a colorful photograph of an abundantly available but less familiar vegetable with nutrition information, storage and preparation tips and a recipe the whole family will enjoy! Calendars can be picked up in the main office at the Beverly J. Martin Elementary School, 302 West Buffalo Street, M-F from 8:30am-3:30pm. A $5 suggested donation covers the cost of production; all proceeds go to support the Fresh Fruit & Vegetable Snack Program (see below).
Download a
copy of the calendar.
Fresh Fruit & Vegetable Snack Program
GreenStar Community Projects, Inc. partnered with the New York Coalition for Healthy School Food (NYCHSF) and the Ithaca City School District to launch the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Snack Program at Beverly J. Martin Elementary School. The program was developed by Amie Hamlin, Executive Director of NYCHSF, with the support of GreenStar’s Co-op in the Classroom Committee, with the shared goal of improving children’s access to fresh produce. The program was started in May 2008 and has been providing all 365 students and teachers at the Beverly J. Martin Elementary School with fresh, nutritious fruit and vegetable snacks on a daily basis. With the extensive support of the Program Director, Lara Kaltman, the Program Manager, Vanessa Wood, and the Executive Director, Amie Hamlin, the BJM community has been able to enjoy an abundance of seasonal local and organic produce (whenever possible) including less common vegetables such as daikon, watermelon radishes, parsnips, turnips and kale. This program is made possible by the financial support of the United Way of Tompkins County Hunger and Food Security, United Way of Tompkins County Youth and Philanthropy, Park Foundation, Ithaca's Taste of the Nation Committee, GreenStar Cooperative Market, Gannett Foundation, Howland Foundation, Ithaca Public Education Initiative, Legacy Foundation, Rotary Club of Ithaca, Tompkins Charitable Gift Fund, and through the generous support of community volunteers.
Garden-to-Table & Farm-to-Fork
Various projects and age appropriate activities that engage youth with the growing, harvesting, preparation and enjoyment of food in a fun community building environment!
Completed activities include a strawberry picking and ice cream making trip with the youth of S.T.A.M.P.'s Green Guerrillas and a visit to an orchard followed by a pie and jam making party with teens and adults. Future projects are being planned for an exciting 2009 growing season!
Summertime Block Party
The First & Second Annual Summertime Block Party – July, '08 & '09
GreenStar Community Projects, Inc. partnered with the Race Liberation Alliance, Multicultural Resource Center, Greater Ithaca Activities Center and STAMP's Green Guerillas to present the Second Annual Summertime Block Party on July 5, 2008.
The event was an uplifting afternoon concert and educational fair that fostered unity across diverse cultural, ethnic and socio-economic lines while promoting sustainable lifestyle choices. Over 1,000 people gathered in the Northside neighborhood to celebrate an alternative Independence Day weekend with activities that raised awareness and cultivated community engagement to create a healthier community for all.
Highlights of the 2008 Summertime Block Party:
Local food at its best! Everything from the meat, to beans, strawberries, kale, ice cream and practically everything in between came from local farms and vendors. This year we initiated “farm-to-fork” projects where volunteers and youth groups interested in learning about agriculture went to u-pick farms in the days leading up to the event. These educational field trips provided many youth and adults with their first experience on a farm while in turn providing an abundance of freshly picked produce for people to enjoy at the event.
Youth playing in the streets with painted faces were captivated by local musician John Simon and Village at Ithaca’s Cal Walker’s Tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and a selection of Read-Along Songs. Afterwards kids nestled into the Family Reading Partnership’s Big Red Tent for bookmaking and storytelling with Native American storyteller Anontaks Barreiro.
Live music from local acclaimed musicians Food Clothes & Shelter, Thousands of One and Mbusi kept people of all ages dancing until sunset. Taina Asili y la Banda Rebelde, hailing from Philadelphia, laid soulful vocals over an infusion of hip hop and Afro-Caribbean sounds while weaving a fire breathing voice of rage and resistance throughout the crowd.
The Tuff Soul Street Fashion Show showcased sustainable, reconstructed natural fiber designs made and modeled by young teens.
Throughout the day people had a chance to peruse over 30 social justice and sustainability organizations that lined the street with educational displays and information.
Vendors with Values was a popular new addition where craft artisans shared their stories and sold their products from around the world.
The Summertime Block Party was bursting with the themes of local empowerment, food justice, healthy lifestyle choices, conscious consumerism, youth leadership, social justice and more. Thank you to all who came out and were a part of this special day, and to our partners and sponsors who made the event possible!
Reports
