Category: Food

Urban Garden Harvest

FACCES Greenhouse & Garden: A Year of Harvest and Growth

This year, our greenhouse and garden have produced over 30 different crops, yielding an average of 20 pounds of fresh fruits, vegetables, and herbs each month. In the past month alone, we harvested squash, okra, tomatoes, beans, greens, and radishes. Beyond plants, our aquaponic tank has also provided us with healthy fish, enriching the bounty we share with our community.

However, these successes didn’t come easily. We faced challenges like harsh weather and a power outage that nearly wiped out our fish. At times, we worried about the survival of our crops, and the summer drought took a toll on many plants. Thanks to the leadership of Ms. Ruby, our dedicated gardener, guidance from Marc at Central State, and daily care from volunteers like Goodwill, we pulled through. Their hard work, especially during the drought, ensured that our garden thrived.

Now, we’re excited to invite you to our first FACCES Cooking Class, open to all FACCES Family members! The class will take place on November 12, 2024, from 4:30 PM to 6:30 PM. Families will learn how to prepare a nutritious meal using ingredients from our greenhouse and garden, including fish from our aquaponic tank. It’s a wonderful way to bring our harvest to your table and cook together as a community.

You can also help choose the meal we’ll make! Visit our Instagram or Facebook pages to vote for your preferred dish. Be sure to sign up as space is limited.

Cooking class Sign-up!

Cooking Show with FACCES Families!

A New Way to Create Lasting Memories with your Family!

We are thrilled to announce the launch of our upcoming cooking classes, led by our incredible Chef Donte. In a world where fast food is often the easiest option, we’re offering a new, healthier path. These classes will teach FACCES families and youth how to cook healthy, nutritious, and delicious meals using fresh, organic ingredients grown in our garden and greenhouse.

These classes will be held in person and virtually, right in the heart of the community, offering easy-to-follow recipes that you can recreate at home, making cooking cost-effective and time-saving.

At FACCES, we believe that well-being leads to well-doing for our children, families, and community. These cooking classes are about more than just preparing food—they’re about building a legacy of health, connection, and knowledge.

Stay tuned for more news, and call us at (614) 319-6070 for more information on the next FACCES Cooking Class, or email us at food@thefacces.org for schedules and registration details!

We would also love to invite your children, ages 1 to 18, to join the FACCES Kitchen for Breakfast, Snack, and Dinner! This program is available Monday through Thursday and Saturdays, and we can’t wait to see your children here!

Summer Food Service Program 

Over 400 Meals Served!

With the support of FACCES teens, 469 meals have been served through the Summer Food Service Program. Over the past two months, both snacks and supper were provided at no cost to children aged 1 to 18. What made this program special was the opportunity for teens to use fresh fruits and vegetables grown in the FACCES greenhouse and garden.

After the harvest, the produce was used by the teens to prepare daily meals. They learned to incorporate the freshest ingredients into their dishes, gaining valuable culinary skills along the way. Beyond the kitchen, it was inspiring to see the lasting relationships formed as a result of working closely together. This program has been about more than just food—it’s been about community, growth, and the lifelong skills these young people will carry with them. 

We’re proud to have been a part of their journey and look forward to seeing them continue to blossom! 

Click below to contact us about how your child can get involved in our programs.

Call Us: (614)319-6070

Email Us: education@thefacces.org

FACCES Kitchen & Theater Now Open!

Grand Opening! 

We are excited to announce that The FACCES Kitchen & Theater is now open, completing the journey of providing families with fresh produce through the FACCES Fresh Market and growing crops together in the FACCES’ greenhouse & garden to eat. 

Embarking on the farm-to-table concept, the kitchen allows youth and families to create nutritious meals alongside the FACCES chef through in-person and virtual cooking classes. 

The kitchen and theater welcome a safe space that brings families together to learn across communities as they share culture, experiences and create lasting memories.  

A very special thank you to Chef Jason Johnson for his support in the kitchen design and cooking the very first meal served in the new FACCES Kitchen!

If you want to learn more about the FACCES Kitchen and Theater, call 614-319-6070 or email Kori Johnson, Food Director Food@theFACCES.org 

FACCES Urban Garden News! 

Exciting news! FACCES Families and the community have been awarded three significant grants: the Franklin County Urban Agriculture Critical Infrastructure Grant, the Columbus Foundation Community Garden Grant, and The Dash Impact Grant. These grants will allow us to increase growth in the greenhouse, expand our outdoor garden, and increase deliveries for the Fresh Market. This means more educational gardening workshops and greater access to fresh, locally grown food for everyone in our community.

We are incredibly grateful to the Franklin County Board of Commissioners, Franklin Soil and Water Conservation District, Local Food Action Plan, Silicon Valley Community Foundation, and Door Dash for their generous support! In addition to these grants, our beloved tilapias are back, thanks to Freedom Fish Farm. We’re excited to welcome over 100 tilapias to our aquaponics system! As part of this exciting development, our greenhouse is now open for daily tours for those that register in advance.

We invite all our FACCES families and community members to explore and discover the wonders of growing your own food in the garden. Whether you’re an experienced gardener, new to gardening, or simply curious about aquaculture, our greenhouse offers a hands-on experience for all ages, including the opportunity to care for the fish that will be harvested late fall.

Volunteering at FACCES Fresh Market

FACCES Fresh Market stands as a beacon of community support, ensuring families have access to fresh produce. Every 2nd and 4th Wednesday, year-round, we come together to make a positive impact. With our belief that wellbeing leads to well doing, we welcome all our amazing families with warm and open arms! Our commitment is to provide nutritious food to our neighbors, and we invite volunteers to join us! With two flexible time slots, from 1:30pm – 4:30pm and 4:00pm – 7:00pm, there is an opportunity for everyone to contribute. If you are passionate about making a difference and are interested in volunteering, simply click on the link below to sign up! 

Click here

FACCES Urban Garden meets OSU Extension Urban Roots

FACCES Urban Garden recently had the honor of welcoming Mr. Solomon from OSU Extension Urban Roots during November’s Urban Gardeners Gathering. Urban Roots is a collaborative initiative involving the Franklin County Board of Commissioners, The Ohio State University (OSU), the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences (CFAES), OSU Extension Franklin County, and local community partners. This innovative program is designed to provide youth with immersive learning opportunities centered around food, agriculture, the environment, and related technologies. Mr. Solomon’s attendance at our gathering allowed us to establish a valuable connection and emphasize the importance of educating youth about growing their own food, understanding its origin, and exploring various career paths in these fields.

Moving forward, we are thrilled to announce that Mr. Solomon will be taking an active role in our FACCES Life Ready partnership with Starting Point’s 21st Century program, leading a curriculum that aligns with the objectives of the Urban Roots mission. This collaboration signifies a step in empowering the youth with essential knowledge and skills, fostering a deeper connection between education and real-world applications in the realms of food production, agriculture, and environmental stewardship. Together with Mr. Solomon and OSU Extension Urban Roots, we look forward to nurturing a generation that is not only well-informed but also enthusiastic about shaping a sustainable and resilient future. 

Classes with Mr. Solomon are on Tuesdays from 3 pm to 4 pm! If you have a teen interested, click the link below to register for the classes. Let us nurture a passion for gardening together! Education & Food: FACCES Life Ready Urban Garden Class – FACCES – Family Adolescent & Child Community Engagement Service (thefacces.org)

Thank You for Supporting the FACCES Kitchen & Theater Construction!

The FACCES Kitchen & Theater’s primary objective is to provide a safe and well-equipped environment for cooking classes and nutrition workshops. FACCES aims to promote healthy eating habits and culinary skills among young people and their families, empowering them to positively impact their overall well-being. This facility is located less than 100 feet away from the FACCES Urban Garden and will accomplish the true meaning of the farm-to-table concept in an urban environment.

The theater will serve as a platform for educational programs, performances, and cultural events. This will foster creativity, cultural appreciation, and community cohesion, bringing people together through the power of art and expression.

“Our vision is to create a space that not only meets the needs of our community but also promotes growth, learning, and connection. By investing in the FACCES kitchen and theater, we aim to provide a safe and well-equipped environment that promotes healthy eating habits, culinary skills, creativity, cultural appreciation, and community cohesion.”  — Melissa Johnson, Founder and Creator of FACCES

Giving Tuesday will be on November 28, 2023. We hope that you will consider contributing to FACCES! We recognize that every little bit helps. FACCES primarily serves youth living in high-risk neighborhoods and food swamps, which means there is limited or no access to fresh produce and food that promotes good health. We cordially invite individuals and businesses to join us in making a difference and supporting efforts to create a space that promotes healthy, fulfilling lives for all.

click to Contribute today!

Creamy Tuscan Kale Soup with Chicken Tortellini   

Ingredients  

 Directions:  

  1. Dice the carrot, celery, shallot, and onion. Then set to the side.  
  1. Add olive oil to your pot then turn the stove on to a medium heat. Once the olive oil becomes hot; add in the carrots, celery, shallots, onion, and minced garlic. Saute them for 3 minutes.  
  1. Add in the fresh thyme, tomato paste, diced tomatoes, and sundried tomatoes. Let that cook for 1 minute.  
  1. Add in the chicken broth, water, salt, Dijion mustard, black pepper, Italian seasoning, onion powder, garlic, powder, smoked paprika, basil, and sugar (adjust the amount of seasoning to your liking). Turn down the heat and let the mixture simmer for 15 minutes (but the longer you let it simmer the better).  
  1. Add in the potatoes; allow that to cook until tender.   
  1. Add in the tortellini, stir in heavy cream, and parmesan cheese; allow that to cook for 5 minutes; then turn off the heat.  
  1. Add in the kale.   
  1. Let your soup rest for 10 minutes before serving.   

FACCES Urban Garden Gathering

Vibe out with us at our next FACCES Urban Gardener’s Gathering. Enjoy a space where we come together to socialize over food, music and garden giveaways, as we learn gardening tips and share ideas with one another. We are excited to announce the next Urban Gardener’s Gathering for the remainder of the year. This is an event you and your family won’t want to miss!

Click here to find the next FACCES Urban Garden Gathering today!

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