Ansonia gardener's plant sales to benefit St. Vincent de Paul Food Bank in Derby

Our green-thumbed and generous pantry friend, Diane, is supporting St. Vincent de Paul with sales of her own greenhouse grown plants over the next two weekends - May 8 & 9, 15 & 16!

164 Hull St., Ansonia, noon-6 p.m.

Vegetables, herbs, flowers, hanging baskets, and multi-flower planters!

Come shop local while supporting our pantry! Thank you Diane!

Griffin Center in Oxford to host Waste Not, Want Not presentation

OXFORD - The Griffin Center for Healthy Living Teaching Kitchen will host a free nutrition education presentation and cooking demonstration about preserving food and cooking with frequently thrown away plant parts.

Waste Not, Want Not will be Sept. 18 at 5 p.m. at The Griffin Center for Healthy Living at Quarry Walk, 300 Oxford Road.

Caty Poole, former Executive Director of Massaro Farm and sustainable nutrition expert, will discuss the best ways to preserve foods to maintain freshness and how to repurpose the nutritious seeds, stems and leaves that usually end up in the garbage bin. 

She will also demonstrate how to make carrot top chimichurri and pan sheet roasted vegetables.

Space is limited for this event, so registration is required. 

Visit www.griffinhealth.org/events-calendar/waste-not-want-not or call The Griffin Center for Healthy Living Coordinator at 203-732-1369 to sign up.

Teaching Kitchen 

The Griffin Center for Healthy Living Teaching Kitchen is part of Griffin’s commitment to the Planetree patient-centered care model, which promotes greater well-being in communities through access to health information and assistance in helping individuals address the social determinants of health such as access to fresh nutritious foods and how to prepare them.

Griffin Hospital in Derby to host talk on harvesting produce from community garden

DERBY - The Griffin Community Garden at Griffin Hospital, 130 Division St., is helping individuals learn to grow healthy fruits and vegetables with a free presentation on harvesting produce Aug. 13 at 5 p.m.

Master Gardener Robin Michalak will lead “Harvesting Your Abundant Produce,” a free discussion about when and how to harvest produce, how to know they are ready to harvest, how to remove vegetables from plants, and safe handling practices.

Registration is required for this free event. Visit www.griffinhealth.org/harvesting-produce to sign up or for more information.

Opened in 2018, the Griffin Community Garden is designed to engage its neighbors to actively participate in selecting, planting, maintaining, harvesting, and preserving fresh, nutritious produce. 

The garden is part of Griffin's commitment to its Planetree patient-centered care which stresses the importance of nutrition for overall health and well-being, and to help alleviate one of the biggest social obstacles to good health.

This is a press release from Griffin Health.

Griffin Community Garden in Derby offers summer squash for the picking

DERBY - Our summer squash is about ready to pick at the Griffin Community Garden, free and open to all!

Relatively low in carbs, calories, and fat, summer squash is high in fiber, an excellent source of vitamin C, and contains B vitamins and important minerals such as potassium and magnesium.

Quick Prep Tip: Try summer squash raw in salads, sautéed or roasted with olive oil as a side dish or spiraled into “zoodles” as a healthy substitution for noodles.

Opened in 2018, the Griffin Community Garden is designed to engage its neighbors to actively participate in selecting, planting, maintaining, harvesting, and preserving fresh, nutritious produce.

Located on the Griffin Hospital campus, the garden is part of Griffin's commitment to its Planetree patient-centered care which stressed the importance of nutrition for overall health and well-being.

The ultimate goal is to help residents obtain healthy fruits and vegetables and encourage neighborhood residents to start their own gardens and improve their eating habits, helping alleviate one of the biggest social obstacles to good health.

At additional nearby community gardens, similar veggies are free to harvest from the newly formed collaboration of several @Valley-Community-Gardens.

Find one near you:

Ansonia

• Beaver Brook – 96 Central St.

• Salvation Army – 26 Lester St.

Derby

• Griffin Hospital – 130 Division St.

• 5th & Olivia Streets

• Derby Public Library – 313 Elizabeth St.

Seymour

• Seymour Community Center – 20 Pine St.

• Trinity Episcopal Church – 91 Church St.

• Little Free Pantry on Skokorat – 58 Skokorat St.

Shelton

• Good Shepherd Church – 182 Coram Ave.

Oxford

• Immanuel Lutheran ECLA Church – 25 Great Hill Road

Shared from the Griffin Hospital Facebook page.

Griffin Hospital in Derby to host presentation by master gardener

DERBY - The Griffin Community Garden at Griffin Hospital is helping individuals learn to grow healthy fruits and vegetables with a free presentation on garden insects at 5 p.m. July 30.

This “Good Bug, Bad Bug” presentation will feature Master Gardener Robin Michalak discussing how to identify beneficial insects vs. insects that are pests and how to incorporate integrated pest management applications to prevent infestations. 

The event is part of the Garden’s Know to Grow Series, which aims to teach the Griffin Health community how to start gardens and to promote the health benefits of eating fresh fruits and vegetables.

Registration is required for this free event. Visit www.griffinhealth.org/good-bug-bad-bug to sign up or for more information.

Opened in 2018, the Griffin Community Garden is designed to engage its neighbors to actively participate in selecting, planting, maintaining, harvesting, and preserving fresh, nutritious produce. 

The garden is part of Griffin's commitment to its Planetree patient-centered care which stresses the importance of nutrition for overall health and well-being, and to help alleviate one of the biggest social obstacles to good health.

This is a press release from Griffin Hospital.

Farmer's Market to return to Ansonia Friday

ANSONIA - Mayor David S. Cassetti today announced the return of the Farmer’s Market this Friday, June 13 from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. It will run through Nov. 21, rain or shine.

Please come on down for some of Gazy Brothers delicious fruits and vegetables and Amski's Delights jams and jellies and more!

Valley residents urged to take part in community gardening

 

Derby Public Library to host community garden

DPL's Community Garden

Join us weekly in the garden (Dates TBA)

Scan QR code or visit https://bit.ly/3xOGJvo to submit your background info and interests.

Learn how vegetables are grown and help us provide produce for the community.

No garden experience necessary. Just a willingness to get involved.

**funded in part by Valley Community Foundation

This is shared from Derby Public Library's Facebook page.

Quinnipiac students clean up garden site behind Salvation Army HQ in Ansonia

 

ANSONIA - Quinnipiac University students recently cleared brush and prepared raised boxes at the community garden located behind Salvation Army headquarters in Ansonia.

Photos by Bob VanEgghen, chairman, Salvation Army Advisory Board 

A big thank you goes out to the students for their hard work getting the community garden ready for the season.

Recuperation journey: Summer harvest

 I visited the weekly Farm Market in downtown Ansonia today and found some pretty colors provided by Gazy Brothers Farm in Oxford.

The market runs from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Fridays on West Main Street. 

It also features homemade jams and pies from Amski's Delights of Ansonia, and breads and fresh mozzarella from Beldotti Bakery in Stamford.

Check out the market next Friday. You won't be disappointed!

Farmer's Market slated Friday in downtown Ansonia

*The market runs from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. 

Community gardens in Valley offer grow your own opportunities

*Shared from Spooner House Facebook page.

Farmer's market will be open today in downtown Ansonia

Sharing from the City of Ansonia Facebook page:

"Managed by Gazy Farm of Oxford, the market includes fresh area farm vegetables, fruits, herbs, flowers, and more. 
"Located on Main St in the park directly across from Doyle Senior Center, the market will be here each Friday at same time and place through early September. See you there!"

Derby Public Library to host presentation on adding vegetables to meals

DERBY - Stacey Ference of Savour Catering will share how to add nutritious, leafy veggies into  meals at 6:30 p.m. Sept. 22 at Derby Public Library.

Maximum of 30 attendees; registration is required online or by calling 203-736-1482.

The Library is at 313 Elizabeth St.

*This info is shared from the Library's events calendar. 

Save the date: Gazy Brothers Farm in Oxford to kick off growing season

OXFORD - Gazy Brothers Farm will celebrate another growing season with the future fifth generation from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. April 13.
The farm is at 391 Chestnut Tree Hill Road.

The kickoff event will include an Easter plant sale, free hay rides, summer CSA sign up, and farm tours.
Participants may help with rock picking, potato planting, and street cleanup. There will be music, kids' activities, and more.

Private message the farm on Facebook for more information if you wish to be a vendor.

*Shared from a Facebook event page.

Derby Green Farmers' Market to be held Tuesdays this summer

Shelton Land Conservation Trust to sponsor program on organic gardening

Valley United Way to kick off neighborhood gardens

SHELTON - The Valley United Way has announced kickoff dates for its successful “Grow Your Own” neighborhood garden program, taking place throughout May at various locations in the Lower Naugatuck Valley.

The program began in 2015 and assists local residents with growing fresh fruits and vegetables in their own neighborhoods while learning to garden and helping to create unity and self-reliance within the community. 
Low-income area neighbors maintain and harvest produce from their gardens at no cost to the community. 
Participants also receive education on healthy eating habits and making better choices.

Kickoff dates and locations are:

· Friday - Seymour Community Center, 3:30     p.m.
· May 8 - Ansonia, YMCA, 3:30 p.m.
· May 11 - Derby, 5th and Olivia, 3:30 p.m.
· May 12 - Ansonia, Gatison Park, 10 a.m.
· May 18 - Derby, Library, 3:30 p.m.

• May 19 - Ansonia, Beaver Brook, 10 a.m.
• May 20 - Oxford, Immanuel Lutheran Church, Time TBD
• May 24 - Derby, Griffin Hospital, Time TBD
• May 25 - Ansonia, Pine Lot, 3:30 p.m.

To volunteer or become a Grow Your Own partner or sponsor, visit valleyunitedway.org or call 203-926-9478.


Valley United Way is a leading philanthropic organization serving the towns of Ansonia, Derby, Oxford, Seymour and Shelton. Their mission is to improve lives by mobilizing the caring power of the community through philanthropy, volunteerism, and collaboration.

Sign up now for subscription program at Massaro Farm in Woodbridge

WOODBRIDGE - It might still feel like winter outside but Massaro Community Farm staff is reporting for duty and they are busy planting crops that will yield the abundant produce for our subscription program of organic vegetables, herbs, and flowers beginning in June. 
The farm is located at 41 Ford Road on the Ansonia town line.

Enrollment is now open for the farm’s 2018 Community Supported Agriculture seasonal subscription program.

Signing up now is an essential aspect of the CSA model. By doing so you provide the necessary funds to support the farm operation, lighten the farm staff load during the height of the growing season, and enjoy a weekly bountiful harvest throughout the season. 
Check out our website for 10- and 20-week subscription rates and options - $675 full share/$375 half share.

When you secure your spot in Massaro's 2018 CSA, you join other like-minded people around the country who are committed to:

• eating healthy foods and preparing them for their families;
• supporting farmers;
• buying local;
• investing in community.

Download a registration form from our website or sign up online for the Massaro Farm CSA to get our certified organic produce, June through October, grown and harvested daily at Massaro Community Farm. 
On farm pickup, delivery, and flexible season options available.

Spring festival

On May 20 from noon-5 p.m. the farm will host its annual Celebrate Spring festival. 
This unofficial opening of the season will include the sale of organic vegetable seedlings, flowers and perennials. 
The day will also include a lineup of workshops, kid-friendly activities, a Maypole dance, food for purchase and music. 
Entrance is free; certain workshops may have a suggested donation. 

Massaro Community Farm, Inc. is a nonprofit certified organic farm. Its mission is to keep farming, feed people and build community. 

The farm fulfills its mission by offering the sale of produce to seasonal subscribers, and to restaurants and farmer’s markets; by running farm-based education for youth and adults, and by holding several events each year. 

The farm donates a minimum of 10 percent of its weekly harvest to hunger relief agencies, which amounts have totaled more than 53,000 pounds of food to date. 

For more information, contact the office or visit www.MassaroFarm.org. 


This is a press release from Massaro Farm. 

Valley United Way offers 'grow your own' gardening in Ansonia

Valley United Way helps residents in two Ansonia neighborhoods plant and tend to vegetable gardens./ Contributed photo

ANSONIA - ​The​ ​enthusiasm​ ​was​ ​infectious​ ​and​ ​tangible​ ​as​ ​neighborhood residents​ ​came​ ​together​ recent​ly ​to​ ​celebrate​ ​​flourishing​ ​community​ ​gardens​ ​planted​ ​in​ ​May.  
The​ ​Valley​ ​United​ ​Way’s​ ​program,​ ​“Grow​ ​Your​ ​Own”​ ​spearheaded​ ​by​ ​Susan​ ​Meek​ ​and​ ​followed by​ ​Brian​ ​Rich,​ ​consists​ ​of​ ​numerous​ ​garden​ ​beds surrounded​ ​by​ ​picket​ ​fences in​ ​Gatison​ ​Park​ ​and​ ​Pine Lot.

These​ ​neighborhoods​ ​were​ ​chosen​ ​as​ ​an​ ​ongoing​ ​effort​ ​to​ ​help​ ​low-income residents​ ​fight​ ​food​ ​insecurity​ ​in​ ​the​ ​Valley​ ​and​ ​provide​ nutritious​ ​food​ ​for​ ​their​ ​families. 

​Valley​ ​United​ ​Way​ ​President​ ​Sharon​ ​Gibson​ ​said,​ ​“Valley​ ​United Way​ ​is​ ​excited​ ​to​ ​offer​ ​the​ ​garden​ ​program​ ​to​ ​our​ ​Valley​ ​communities.” 

The​ ​key​ ​word​ ​is​ ​“community”​ ​as​ ​residents​ ​came​ ​out​ ​in​ ​droves - many​ ​discovering​ ​the​ ​gardens​ ​and produce​ ​were​ ​for​ ​them​ ​for​ ​the​ ​first​ ​time.​ ​Wide​ ​eyes​ ​and​ ​big​ ​smiles​ ​became​ ​commonplace​ ​as​ ​the​ ​news spread.​ 
​Many​ ​residents​ ​asked​ ​for​ ​tours​ ​and​ ​were​ ​given​ ​bags​ ​to​ ​search​ ​for​ ​fresh​ ​veggies​ ​that​ ​were​ ​ripe​ ​for picking:​ ​cherry​ ​tomatoes;​ ​lettuce;​ ​green​ ​peppers;​ ​squash;​ ​chard;​ ​cabbage; cucumbers;​ ​eggplant;​ ​and​ ​​more,​ ​plus​ ​herbs​ to flavor ​their​ ​meals.

“I​ ​live​ ​right​ ​next​ ​to​ ​Pine​ ​Lot​ ​and​ ​I​ ​thought​ ​this​ ​garden​ ​was​ ​just​ ​for​ ​the​ ​Boys​ ​and​ ​Girls​ ​Club.​ ​I clicked​ ​like​ ​and​ ​share​ ​on​ ​Facebook​ ​and​ ​headed​ ​down​ ​here​ ​right​ ​away,”​ ​said​ ​Rhonda​ ​Rossik.​ 
“I​ ​can​ ​get​ ​the​ Girl​ ​Scouts​ ​involved​ ​too!”​ ​as​ ​she​ ​walked​ ​through​ ​the​ ​garden​ ​sharing​ ​her​ ​knowledge​ ​and enthusiasm​ ​with​ ​others​ ​who​ ​were​ ​deciding​ ​what​ ​they​ ​wanted​ ​to​ ​pick​ ​for​ ​dinner.  

Cherry​ ​tomatoes​ ​were​ ​by​ ​far​ ​the​ ​most​ ​popular​ ​vegetable.​ ​
At​ ​Gatison​ ​Park,​ ​Maya,​ ​her​ ​two​ ​sisters Ramona​ ​and​ ​Tiffany​ ​Wright​ ​and​ ​their​ ​children​ ​come​ ​to​ ​the​ ​garden​ ​often.​ ​“We​ ​go​ ​here​ ​everyday​ ​picking carrots​ ​and​ ​grape​ ​tomatoes​ ​and​ ​eating​ ​them,”​ ​she​ ​said.​ 
​Jazmiah,​ ​Ramona’s​ ​7-year-old​ ​daughter​ ​“loves vegetables”​ ​and​ ​Tiffany’s​ ​daughter,​ ​5-year-old​ ​Kaylynn​ ​“loves​ ​gazpacho,” they said.

Another​ ​Gatison​ ​Park​ ​resident​ ​who​ ​frequents​ ​the​ ​garden​ ​is​ ​Malika​ ​Mosley.​ ​
She​ ​has​ ​an 11-year-old​ ​daughter​ ​and​ ​walks​ ​by​ ​in​ ​the​ ​morning,​ ​afternoon, ​and​ ​the​ ​evening​ ​on​ ​her​ ​way​ ​home​ ​from work.​ ​“I​ ​usually​ ​look​ ​for​ ​the​ ​lettuce,​ ​cucumbers,​ ​and​ ​tomatoes,”​ ​Mosley​ ​said. 

And​ ​what​ ​would​ ​a​ ​block​ ​party​ ​be​ ​without​ ​Domino’s​ ​pizza,​ ​an​ ​ice​ ​cream​ ​truck​ ​and​ ​a​ ​special​ ​arts and​ ​crafts​ ​project​ ​for​ ​the​ ​children?​ ​

Chef provides samples, recipes
Also on hand was chef​ ​Audra​ ​Weisel,​ ​who​ ​had​ ​stiff​ ​competition​ ​from​ ​the​ ​pizza​ ​and ice​ ​cream,​ ​but​ ​was​ ​up​ ​to​ ​the​ ​task.​ ​Happily​ ​she​ ​handed​ ​out​ ​samples​ ​of​ ​her​ ​healthy​ ​cooked​ ​tomatoes, asparagus,​ ​zucchini,​ ​and​ ​other​ ​fresh​ ​veggies​ ​along​ ​with​ ​the​ ​recipes​ ​for​ ​cooking​ ​them​ ​in​ ​their​ ​own​ ​homes. 

Weisel​ ​has​ ​a​ ​long​ ​history​ ​of​ ​helping​ ​out​ ​low-income​ ​families​ ​and​ ​started​ ​digging​ ​and​ ​planting​ ​for “Grow​ ​Your​ ​Own“​ ​this​ ​past​ ​May.​ ​“I’m​ ​happy​ ​to​ ​lend​ ​my​ ​expertise​​ ​i​n​ ​any​ ​way,​ ​shape ​ ​or​ ​form,”​ ​she​ ​said. Quickly​ ​adding​ ​whether​ ​that​ ​means,”teaching​ ​them​ ​how​ ​to​ ​can​ ​their​ ​vegetables​ ​or​ ​learning​ ​how​ ​to​ ​cook them.”​ ​She​ ​is​ ​hoping​ ​“they​ ​will​ ​try​ ​something​ ​new​ ​…​ ​and​ ​like​ ​it.”  

“Grow​ ​Your​ ​Own”​ ​is​ ​one​ ​of​ ​Valley​ ​United​ ​Way’s​ ​projects.​ ​
With​ ​a​ ​third​ ​garden planted​ ​at Irving​ ​School​ ​in​ ​Derby,​ ​the​ ​program​ ​is​ ​expected​ ​to​ ​expand​ ​next​ ​year,​ ​including​ ​more​ ​locations​ ​and getting​ ​more​ community members​ ​involved.​ ​
This​ ​project is​ ​possible​ ​thanks​ ​to​ ​the​ ​generosity​ ​of​ ​​​premiere sponsor,​ ​Avan​ ​Grid,​ ​Newtown​ ​Savings​ ​Bank,​ ​and​ the ​Lavietes​ ​Foundation. 

To​ ​volunteer​ ​or​ ​get​ ​involved​ ​with​ ​Valley​ ​United​ ​Way,​ ​​contact​ Patricia​ ​Tarasovic,​ ​Vice President​ ​of​ ​Community​ ​Engagement, ​203-​926-9478​ ​or​ ​visit:​ ​​www.valleyunitedway.org​. 


This was written by Lori Singer, volunteer writer, Valley United Way.