Debbie Forester is on staff at Roots and Wisdom in Schenectady, NY.

It was a great week, and the Roots and Wisdom youth participants had a lot of fun planning the week and implementing their ideas. Steve Jobs’ quote “Let’s make a dent in the universe” was our inspiration for the week. Here’s what we were up to:

July 24 – Roots and Wisdom Summer Youth Program Participants worked with City Councilwoman Barbara Blanchard to write a resolution highlighting the benefits of eating locally grown food to the Schenectady community. Youth attended the meeting (some dressed as carrots), made statements in favor of the resolution, and handed out Roots and Wisdom Sun Gold tomatoes to the more than 100 people in attendance. (Some commented that the City Council was brave to permit people to hand out tomatoes during a Council meeting.) The Schenectady City Council presented us with a printed, signed copy of the resolution declaring July 31-August 4 BE VOCAL EAT LOCAL week.

July 27 – Schenectady Today – Local Access Cable TV Appearance Two youth and one staff member were interviewed about the Roots and Wisdom program and the benefits of eating locally produced food. A third youth participant demonstrated salad preparation using locally grown food. A video of Roots and Wisdom work in the garden and at the farmer’s market was shown. Throughout the week a local cable station ran a PSA written by Roots and Wisdom youth encouraging people to eat locally grown produce.

What are YOU eating… Flyer Youth program participants prepared a flyer to encourage people to eat locally grown foods. The flyer contained data about the impact of eating produce sold in many supermarkets and some of the benefits of eating locally grown food. Actions people can take to eat more locally produced food were highlighted. Farmers’ Markets and Farm Stands in the county were listed. The flyer was distributed throughout the week, and is still available at the farmer’s market.

August 1 – Farmer’s Market Youth visited the neighborhoods adjacent to the St Luke’s Farmer’s Market raising awareness about the presence of the market and the benefits of eating locally grown food. Flyers and carrots were distributed. Youth also hosted 30 summer kindergarten participants and talked with them about gardening and eating local vegetables.

August 2 – The Daily Gazette printed a letter to the editor written by Roots and Wisdom youth. The letter was entitled “Eating locally grown is better” and highlighted the benefits of eating locally grown food.

August 3 – Twelve children, ages 6-12, from the Hamilton Hills Arts Center visited the garden. Youth program participants gave them tours of the garden, completed a drawing project and engaged them in gardening activities.

August 3 – Roots and Wisdom [artnering with the Moon and River Café, a business that uses locally grown food, to hold an evening farm stand in the Stockade neighborhood of Schenectady.

August 4 – In celebration of our successful week and summer activities we hosted a potluck luncheon for our family and friends.

August 5 – Newspaper Article A reporter for The Daily Gazette wrote an article entitled “Teens say: ‘Eat Local’; Group grows garden in park” that highlighted activities throughout the week and the benefits of eating locally grown food.