Racine's nascent urban gardens movement was meeting in DP Wigley's lower level when I stopped by Friday night, but upstairs the result of organic, home-based farming was already on display.Up on the loading dock, Chris Flynn was dealing with yet another delivery from Milwaukee's Growing Power -- a dozen stuffed-to-the-brim grocery bags full of mostly organically grown veggies. DP Wigley, 234 Wisconsin Ave. downtown, is the place for CSA these days -- Community Supported Agriculture. It's the place to pick up veggies, and to meet others interested in the movement personified by Will Allen, president of Growing Power, who gave Racine's locavores a shot in the arm two weeks ago with a presentation at Wingspread.
Growing Power began delivering here this winter; it now offers three choices: a "regular basket," a bag of fresh veggies, "enough for a family of four for a week," that costs $16; a "senior basket" with about half as much food for $9; and an "organic basket" -- a bag with just organically grown fruits and veggies from the Rainbow Farmers Co-op and other organic growers for $27.
Above is Scott Brewer of Racine, examining the contents of a regular basket. It contained corn, potatoes, salad greens, broccoli, pears, oranges, apples, a cantaloupe and more. The organic basket contained much of the same, but also had a pineapple and strawberries. (Some of the fruit, it must be explained -- that pineapple, for instance! -- comes from Whole Foods and was not grown locally.)
Want your own regular delivery of regionally grown fruit and veggies? Orders must be placed with Chris at DP Wigley early in the week. Call her by Tuesday for best results: 633-8239. And for those who are wondering: No, she doesn't make any money from this service; it all goes to Growing Power. She's just happy to assist others in living healthfully.
Hey Pete a great follow up story would be how The Department of Development of the City of Racine is fight tooth and nail to stop a large Community Organic Garden from taking place, or is it only the White middle class that should have access to organic food?
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ReplyDeleteYou can hear the 1st part of Will's talk here
By percentage there were very few people of color involved in this sort of thing. It would be fantastic to do a garden project close to where they live. I know they would really welcome it. Somehow it lessens crime too to have people outside gardening.
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Mayor Dickert told me today that the City is looking for any and all possible sites that could be used for community gardens.
We can do this. Everyone can benefit.
There has got to be a place in the city for a project. It would be like the building of the Kids Cove playground except this is for kids of all ages. This would also be included in Will's slides that he brings all over as he speaks and does major interviews. So cheap to get the "Good" "green" word out on Racine.
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