December 2001

Note: Adopt-A-Family is the previous name of Local Foods Connection

Thanks for your help in making this year so wonderful for Adopt-A-Family. In this newsletter, enjoy the appreciation shown by the adopted families, find out what they served for Thanksgiving dinner (at least one dish), and be amazed by the generous donation from Gardener's Supply Company.

Local Harvest CSA Receives $500.00 in Goods from Gardener's Supply Company!
Earlier this year, Adopt-A-Family requested a donation from Gardener's Supply Company through its "Improving the World Through Gardening" Program. Gardener's Supply donates to gardening, sustainable agriculture, food and environmental and hunger-related causes. Knowing that our program addresses all of these issues, we told the company about our corporation and about Local Harvest CSA. However, Gardener's Supply is changing its donation program to donate goods, instead of money, to charitable causes. The company's donation spokeswoman said that they love the work of CSA (community supported agriculture) groups, and she wanted to find a way to help out Local Harvest CSA, even if she could not donated money to Adopt-A-Family.

Based on the recommendations of Susan Zacharakis-Jutz, she decided to donate the following goods to Local Harvest CSA: a large pyramid composter, 20 compost pails (for use by CSA members, contact Susan for details), a Felco pruner and a tool bucket and seat. The farm should be receiving these goods this month! Thanks Gardener's Supply Company!

Follow this link to Gardener's Supply Company.

Thanksgiving Turkeys
Both of our adopted families dined on organic, free-range turkeys this Thanksgiving holiday. Farmer Henry J. C. Miller of Kalona donated one turkey, and Adopt-A-Family purchased the other. We thank Mr. Miller for his dedication to raising healthy animals and his kind donation of one turkey.

Thank You From Norma and Her Two Children
First just let me say that I am very grateful for the opportunity to be a part of the Adopt-A-Family program. Some of the vegetables that my children received in our share were unknown to us, because organic vegetables are usually expensive. The recipes that were enclosed in our shares were extremely helpful to me. Some of the vegetables that we received I had never even heard of; needless to say that without the recipes I would have had no idea how to cook them. My children and I have been unable to grow a vegetable garden of our own due to the fact we have lived in an apartment most of our lives. After receiving our first share, the kids realized, vegetables that come straight from a farm need to be cleaned and prepared. This has been a wonderful experience for us. Thank you! --Norma

Donation Drive for 2002
Most you made your donation to Adopt-A-Family in the spring of this year. However, you can make your donation for 2002 now! Local Harvest CSA is beginning its early members renewal recruitment, and we would like to ensure that at least two shares are set aside for our program.