Local Matters

Did you know the Veggie Van carries local produce throughout most of the year? Whether it be melons, collards, or herbs, we're always working hard to ensure shoppers can access local produce at an affordable price. Visit veggievan.local-matters.org to shop today!

Our grocery store tour with Fifth Third Bank and Kroger is right around the corner!

Enjoy cooking demonstrations, tastings, and activities to help build skills and knowledge around shopping healthfully and affordably. Participants will have the opportunity to gather information from Fifth Third Bank and complete the Store Tour Challenge to receive $10 worth of groceries to complete a healthy meal. Registration is required.

Click here to learn more: https://lnkd.in/eNhJ9xh4

GARDEN TOURS: If you want to tour the garden to learn more about how we started and the journey to get to where we are today, stop by one of our 2 scheduled tours this month!

August Garden Tours
Wednesday, 8/14 @ 5:30PM - 6:30PM
Saturday, 8/17 @ 10:30AM - 11:30AM

Reservations are not required but you’re welcome to sign up ahead of time to let us know you’re coming! Visit here: https://www.highlandyouthgarden.org/garden-tours or click on the Link in our Bio

Each tour will give you an in-depth look at our vibrant garden beds, innovative sustainable practices, and the diverse community projects we are proud to support. You'll have the chance to meet our dedicated Executive Director, Shelly, and ask questions. Whether you're a seasoned gardener or just starting out, we believe there's something valuable for everyone to learn and enjoy.

We also encourage you to check out our community volunteer days. It's a wonderful opportunity to give back, connect with fellow garden enthusiasts, and contribute to the upkeep and expansion of the garden. Your involvement helps us continue our mission of providing fresh, healthy produce to our local community and creating a space where people of all ages can come together to learn and grow.

Stay tuned to our website and social media channels for more updates. We look forward to welcoming you to Highland Youth Garden and sharing our passion for gardening with you!

Nearly 800 pounds of food rescued from the Jazz & Ribs Fest last month! Great work by Columbus Food Rescue and the other partners who made this happen. Interested in helping out at a future rescue? Visit https://local-matters.org/columbus-food-rescue/ to learn more!

Jazz & Rib Fest 'food rescue' diverts around 780 pounds of food from Franklin County landfill The goal was to divert food from the landfill and to feed those in need in Columbus.

Check out the Grocery Store Tour withLocal Matters & Fifth Third Bank ! This is going to be an amazing event.

https://local-matters.org/event/grocery-store-tour-with-local-matters-fifth-third-bank/

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Food education at a young age leads to long-lasting dietary changes and better health outcomes, which is why Local Matters provides in-depth programming that prioritizes health and nutrition to people at all ages and stages in life.

Our food educators have facilitated weekly classes with MY Project USA this summer, including three classes this week. Students were able to participate in hands-on cooking demos for meals like veggie hummus wraps and fresh fruit parfaits while learning about the benefits of a fruit rich diet, healthy lunch and breakfast options, vegetable and plant proteins, and so much more.

Partnerships make our community stronger, and we're grateful for the opportunity to collaborate with many great partners through our food access, education, advocacy, and diversion work. Visit our website to learn more: www.local-matters.org

📸 Scenes from a great Meet & Greet last week! We welcomed a number of our program partners for an evening of connection and celebration.

Everyone had the chance to hear from Al while being reminded about the work happening at Local Matters every single day - from food rescues to Veggie Van markets and beyond! Thanks to those who were able to join us. It's always a joy to gather around a good meal with great people.

Last week, we rescued 1,500+ pounds of beautiful peaches from Champaign Berry Farm outside of Urbana through a collaboration with Society of St. Andrew! We were able to distribute peaches to a number of our community partner sites like All People's Fresh Market. Every day looks a little different when you're Columbus Food Rescue BUT every day carries the same mission forward!

There’s a volunteer opportunity for everyone at Local Matters: rescue food from a restaurant to be dropped off to a community partner, assist during a hands-on cooking class, lend a hand in one of our community gardens, transform rescued food into delicious meals at Ro’s Kitchen, represent Local Matters at a tabling event, and so much more!

We’d love for you to explore the volunteer opportunities on our website - click here to learn more: local-matters.org/volunteer

Volunteers play a critical role in our food access and education work, especially during the summer months. Thank you for investing your time and support into this important work.

P.s. How amazing are these peaches we rescued this week?! More details to come soon! Columbus Food Rescue

Did you know the offers monthly meal kits for shoppers? Here’s everything you need to know:

💚 A new meal kit is available every month for $10
💚 Each kit feeds up to four people and includes all of the ingredients you need to make a health-focused meal
💚 Free meal kit delivery is available for locations within I-270

Many meal kit services require a multi-meal commitment, feed 2 people per meal, and include excess plastic packaging for ingredients. The Veggie Van’s meal kits address a lot of these issues.

Visit our Veggie Van website at the link in our bio to learn more and place your order today: www.veggievan.local-matters.org

Did you know SNAP/EBT cardholders can get matching dollars at the Veggie Van? Every dollar you spend up to $25 per day can be used towards future purchases - whether it be at the Veggie Van or other participating Farmers Markets. Shop at the Veggie Van today and visit our market schedule: www.veggievan.local-matters.org

Summer EBT cards are currently being mailed, and the benefits should be loaded by July 31st! 🍎🥪🥦🧀 Don't forget: Summer EBT benefits expire 122 days after they're issued, so make sure to use those extra benefits before they're gone!

For more info ➡️ sebt.ohio.gov

Save the date for one of the city's largest back-to-school family events of the year! Enjoy a day filled with CCS and community partner resources, giveaways, entertainment, food, and MORE! Let's dream big and achieve more with the back-to-school with CCS on Saturday, August 17, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Fort Hayes! RSVP today: https://bit.ly/3xP3Nu9

The will be at the Bronzeville Growers Market this afternoon from 3 - 6 PM! Stop by and shop our selection of fresh and affordable produce. Fruits, veggies, pantry staples - you name it, we got it at the !

We've been partnering with our friends at St. Vincent Family Services for over a decade! Every year, we create moments of magic in our on-site gardens, fostering positive relationships with healthy foods and diving deep into all things gardens and growing. Kids get to feel the soil in their hands and try new foods.

Last week, we made a delicious black bean salad - the perfect treat for a warm summer day!

You can help foster more moments like this at Local Matters. Visit our website today to explore the ways you can support this important work: local-matters.org/donate

Join Local Matters and Fifth Third Bank for a grocery store tour next month. Enjoy cooking demonstrations, tastings, and activities to help build skills and knowledge around shopping healthfully and affordably.

Participants will have the opportunity to gather information from Fifth Third Bank and complete the Store Tour Challenge to receive $10 worth of groceries to complete a healthy meal. Registration is required: https://local-matters.org/event/grocery-store-tour-with-local-matters-fifth-third-bank/

Looking for some quick and simple tips for grocery shopping on a budget? Local Matters has compiled a treasure trove of resources for you to explore. From budget-friendly strategies to shopping in season, learn how to shop smarter and healthier: https://local-matters.org/stay-involved/shopping-tips-and-tricks/

Are you interested in being a vendor at a farmers market? Do you sometimes host a resource table at events? Join us on Saturday, July 27, from 1 - 3 for the Second We Grow: NES Resource Fair. I will present a free marketing workshop that promotes good selling practices, with other community partners and resources present at Broad Street Presbyterian Church, 760 E. Broad (corner of Garfield).

Register at: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/we-grow-nes-second-resource-fair-tickets-939708552577?aff=oddtdtcreator

With temperatures expected to climb into the 90s this week, the Columbus Recreation and Parks Department has opened "cooling centers" today at five of their regional community centers.

The following community centers will operate on extended hours from 9 a.m. - 9 p.m. until the extreme weather subsides:

• Dodge Community Center — 667 Sullivant Ave.
• Driving Park Community Center — 1100 Rhoads Ave.
• Glenwood Community Center — 1888 Fairmont Ave.
• Linden Community Center — 1350 Briarwood Ave.
• Marion Franklin Community Center — 2801 Lockbourne Road

More information: columbusrecparks.com/keep-cool-with-us

Need a little extra help with your child’s nutrition this summer?

Enrollment for the new SUN Bucks (Summer EBT) program is now open! Check if you’re eligible and apply by August 16, 2024 to ensure your family has money for groceries throughout the summer. https://sebt.ohio.gov/

We hope you'll take a moment to read this inspiring feature by Columbus Underground. It does a great job of capturing the essence of Ro's Kitchen: diverting waste to create delicious meals and feed the community - all in the legacy of Roshelle Pate.

Inspired by this work? Consider volunteering for a kitchen shift at Ro's Kitchen. We have weekly openings and would love your support: https://bit.ly/4cFslF6