I see the Marin Organic School Lunch and Gleaning Program as a source of building community. Every week I drive the Marin Organic truck through the county, across highways, neighborhoods and school parking lots, with the refrigerator unit filled with organically produced foods from a variety of Marin farms. I imagine the community’s thoughts when they see the truck on the road: Chefs thinking to themselves, “Hey, I cook with those foods;” students and teachers saying to each other, “Our school lunch is made from some of that food;” or parents proudly knowing that a delivery may have just been made to their child's school. I envision restaurant goers and farmers market customers smiling because they have recently eaten something connected to Marin Organic; local business owners, volunteers and Marin Organic supporters nodding in satisfaction because they’ve supported our efforts; and, of course, I think about the farmers, the soil architect geniuses, who might say aloud, “I grew that food.”
It’s thanks to all of us that this is possible.
There are many community projects oriented around food, like community gardens and school garden projects. I recently saw a forum about the Novato Community Garden Project. It is amazing how many organizations, teachers, parents and city councilors are involved in making this happen. Contact the Novato Live Well Network for more information about that project: http://www.novatolivewell.org/
I'm also actively involved with making friends at the College of Marin Indian Valley Campus Farm and Garden Class. Thanks to community organizing by the Conservation Corps North Bay, the University of California Cooperative Extension, College of Marin, the instructor and participating students, this project is a thriving success.
Growing food is a fabulous tradition for growing community. Knowing where our food comes from and who grew it, and eating healthy foods with our friends and family, sows seeds and plants roots that flower for generations. Spring is here, and it’s so inspiring.
By Chester Densmore
Marin Organic School Lunch and Gleaning Program Associate
