NOFA-NY announces CSA scholarship for qualifying residents!

For Immediate Release:

Scholarship Program Provides up to $100 Towards Organic Produce for Qualifying Residents of Rochester and Buffalo

The Northeast Organic Farming Association of New York (NOFA-NY) is announcing a program to make local, organic vegetables available to Rochester and Buffalo residents at an affordable price:  the Neighborhood Farm Share Program.  

The Neighborhood Farm Share Program provides qualifying residents of Buffalo and Rochester with financial support to participate in local Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) programs.

  Participants receive up to a $100 reduction in cost for a CSA share from a local farm. The participant pays the remainder of the cost of the share.  

Interested participants should complete an application for the Neighborhood Farm Share Program as well as a membership form for the CSA.  Both of these are available from NOFA-NY: www.nofany.org/farmshare or by calling – 585-271-1979 ext. 505. 
 


Limited opportunities to obtain fresh produce are one of the key factors that contribute to high rates of obesity and chronic disease.  Many Rochester and Buffalo-area residents are looking for consistent access to sustainably and locally grown vegetables. One method is to buy directly from the farmer through a marketing scheme called, Community Supported Agriculture (CSA).  In the CSA direct-marketing relationship between consumers and a local farm, consumers pay, up front, for a season’s worth of produce and, in return, receive a weekly delivery of the freshest vegetables.  Each share typically feeds a four-person family, although shares can be split to accommodate smaller families and singles.



The project features a mid-summer to fall CSA share, with delivery starting the second weekend in August.  Applications for financial assistance are due August 3rd.  Consumers who are interested in joining CSA and finding out about the scholarship program should contact NOFA-NY at (585) 271-1979 ext 505 or foodjustice@nofany.org. 

God's Glory

I spent this morning outside with the Lord in prayer. I was asking him to use me to reach others and allow my family to be of service to Him. 

And, He spoke to me. He said, "Open your eyes and see My Glory." 

So, I opened my eyes and I looked out over our yard... "Where?" I asked God. 


And, then I saw it... a tiny drop of water sitting on one of the potato plant leaves in our garden. Among the dozens of drops of water on the plant leaves in our garden, this tiny little drop shone so brightly; this little drop of water no bigger than my fingernail. 

The sunshine amplified the radiance of this water drop and its splendor was something I have never seen before. 

Bright white brilliance. Clear as crystal. It sparkled like a precious stone.

I was captivated, but at the same time it hurt my eyes to look at it. It flickered and danced a little bit and then God said to me, "Do you see that drop of water?" 


"Yes Lord, but what does it mean?" 

"That is My Glory. It shines so brightly & is so brilliant, yet, see how small that drop of water is?" 

"Yes, I see." I replied.

"Do you understand? It only takes a tiny bit of My glory to light the darkest places of the world. No matter how small you feel, or how insignificant you may think My work is for you, remember, it only takes a tiny drop of Me to reach others."

I feel that God wanted me to share this with our blog readers today. So, this my message to you... No matter how small or insignificant the work you are doing for the Lord may seem, it is not. 

It only takes a "tiny drop" of His glory to illuminate darkness...

Jesus is the light. 

He radiates God's glory and there is no place He cannot reach.

Precious metals & jewels are put to shame by the stunning and radiant glory of the Lord Almighty. His glory is so wonderful & brilliant that Moses could not even enter the Tabernacle because of the Lord's glorious splendor (Exodus 40). The priests could not enter the Temple because the presence God was so glorious (1 King 8:10-11).

His glory is so much greater than we can comprehend, but it only takes a tiny bit of it to reach others. If you are living for the Lord, if you are glorifying Christ & honoring Him in all that you do and in His Work for you, it is not insignificant. His light will reach others & the glory of the Lord will be revealed for all to see. 

We preach that Jesus Christ is Lord, and we ourselves are your servants for Jesus’ sake. For God, who said, “Let there be light in the darkness,” has made this light shine in our hearts so we could know the glory of God that is seen in the face of Jesus Christ. 

2 Corinthians 4:5-6

So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son. 

John 1:14

The Son radiates God’s own glory and expresses the very character of God, and he sustains everything by the mighty power of his command. When he had cleansed us from our sins, he sat down in the place of honor at the right hand of the majestic God in heaven. 

Hebrews 1:3

Classic Potato Salad

Ingredients
1 1/2 pounds un-peeled potatoes (any variety) 
1 to 2 un-peeled carrots
1/2 medium onion (red or yellow) or 2 onions (white and some green) 


Optional Ingredients (add up to 1 cup) 
1 to 2 celery stalks, diced
1 to 2 hard-boiled eggs, diced
1/2 to 1 cup firmly packed spinach, shredded 


Dressing Ingredients 
1/4 cup plain yogurt
1/4 cup mayonnaise
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1/4 teaspoon dried marjoram or oregano 
1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon salt
several generous grindings of pepper


Directions
Cut the potatoes into 1/2-inch cubes, place in a stock pot and add just enough water to cover the potatoes. 


Bring the water to a boil over high heat and cook the potatoes until tender, about 15 to 20 minutes. 


While the potatoes cook:
• Dice the carrots. Add to a large bowl. 
• Finely dice the onion and add to the bowl, along with any optional ingredients. 
• Prepare the dressing by adding the dressing ingredients to a small bowl and mixing well to incorporate. 


When the potatoes are tender, remove from the heat and drain well. 


All the potatoes to cool slightly for 5 to 10 minutes, and add them to the bowl of vegetables, along with the dressing. Mix well to incorporate and chill before serving. Add additional salt or other seasonings to taste before serving. Tip: adding 1 to 2 tablespoons of finely chopped parsley is a great additional seasoning! 

Recipe courtesy of What the Bible says about Healthy Living Cookbook

Potato Salad with Green Beans

Ingredients
2 pounds un-peeled potatoes (any variety) 
2 tablespoons olive oil 
several dashes of salt
several generous grindings of pepper
1/2 pound green beans
1 small red onion
1/2 pint grape or cherry tomatoes


Basil Vinaigrette Ingredients
1 garlic clove
6 tablespoons olive oil 
2 tablespoons white wine vinegar
20 to 30 fresh basil leaves (about 1/4 cup firmly packed)
1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon salt
several generous grindings of pepper


Directions 
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. 


Cut the potatoes into 1/2-inch cubes and put the potatoes, olive oil salt and pepper into a large bowl. Toss to completely coat and transfer the potatoes to a shallow roasting pan. 


Bake the potatoes for 20 minutes, stir with a rubber spatula or wooden spoon, and return to the oven. Then begin checking them every 10 minutes or so. Depending on the size and type of your potatoes, the total cooking time will range from 30 to 45 minutes. They are done when they turn golden brown and are tender when pierced with a fork. 


When the potatoes cook: 
• Break off the stem ends from the green beans and add to the potatoes during the last 5 to 7 minutes of baking time. 
• Dice the onion and add to a large bowl; add the tomatoes to the bowl. 
• Prepare the dressing; chop the garlic in a food processor, add the remaining ingredients and process until smooth. 


After the potatoes and green beans have cooked and cooled, add them to the bowl with the onions and tomatoes. Add the dressing and toss. Serve at room temperature. Makes 6 servings. 

Recipe courtesy of What the Bible says about Healthy Living Cookbook

Black Bean & Corn Salad

I serve this crisp, slightly sweet combination as an appetizer with tortilla chips. As simple as it is, this recipe gets the most ardent compliments! 

Ingredients
1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons fresh lime juice
1/2 teaspoon cumin
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 garlic clove, minced
1 cup fresh (or frozen, thawed) whole-kernel corn 
1 cup chopped red bell pepper
3/4 cup minced onion
1/3 cup chopped cilantro 
1 15-ounce can black beans, rinsed & drained




Directions
Bring the first 7 ingredients to a boil in a small saucepan. Reduce heat, and simmer for 2 minutes or until sugar dissolves. Combine vinegar mixture, corn and remaining ingredients in a large bowl; cover and chill. Yields 4 cups.

Recipe courtesy of 501 Delicious Heart Healthy Recipes