GreenDorchester (Dorchester Environmental Health Coalition)

photo courtesy Judy Tuttle

New at the Ashmont Farmer’s Market at Peabody Square, on Friday July 16 -  Salsa-making demonstration (with free samples!) by the UMass Extension Nutrition Education Program, and gifts and stationery with historic Dorchester flavor, by Amy Butterworth at the Dorchester Arts Collaborative’s booth.

And, as always, delicious fresh produce grown by Farmer Dave’s, Langwater Farm and Spring Brook Farm (who will also have baked goods), and fresh flowers and herbs at the Cedar Grove Gardens booth.

DEHC will be helping to staff the market every Friday, 3-7 PM, through October 29, at its new location in the heart of Peabody Square on the Ashmont Station Plaza (corner of Dorchester Ave and Ashmont Street).  There is bicycle parking for shoppers at the T station and free parking for cars available both at ODWIN Learning Center, 1943 Dot Avenue, and two-hour on-street parking in the area.

Ashmont/Peabody Square Farmers’ Market Grand Re-Opening July 9, 2:45 PM, Ashmont Station Plaza
Join the Irie Roots Carribbean Band, Rep. Linda Dorcena Forry, Rep. Marty Walsh, Capt. Richard Sexton, Boston Police Area C-11; Mark Boyle, MBTA Asst. General Mgr for Development; and Evelyn Friedman, Director of Boston’s Dept. of Neighborhood Development, and City Councillor Maureen Feeney for the grand re-opening of the Ashmont/Peabody Square Farmers’ Market!  Friday, July 9, at the new location: Ashmont Station Plaza, at the corner of Dorchester Ave and Ashmont Street.
The music starts around 2:45 PM, with the ribbon cutting at 3:00.  The market will run every Friday, 3-7 PM, through October 29.

Returning farmers Spring Brook Farm and Farmer Dave’s will be joined by new vendor Langwater Farm. The market also features fresh flowers from Cedar Grove Gardens, artwork from Dorchester Arts Collaborative members, and free bike repair and tune ups provided by the Boston Cyclists’ Union on last Fridays.

Wondering what to make for dinner?  Pick up some fresh food at the Dorchester House Farmers Market and get a free food sample from the UMass nutritionists while you’re there!  Today, from 11:30 am to 1:30pm, visit the Dorchester House Farmers Market at Dorchester House Multi-Service Center, 1353 Dorchester Avenue (map).

Find fresh produce from Flats Mentor Farm, ReVision House Urban Farm and Serving Ourselves Farm (at Long Island Shelter), all farms connected to socially-responsible programs.

Flats Mentor Farm still has Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) shares available and you can feel good about buying from them, since FMF “assists and supports small farmers of diverse ethnic backgrounds with the land, farming infrastructure and marketing assistance needed to promote and sustain successful farming enterprises”.

Victory Programs’ ReVision Urban Farm is locally based in Dorchester, and has transformed “over an acre of abandoned lots into productive and vibrant farmland”. The ReVision Urban Farm provides job-training for youth and Boston’s homeless, and partners with Victory Programs’ Revision House shelter in Franklin Field to promote healthy eating and sustainable farming while providing residents with free produce to use in their family meals.

The Farm at Long Island Shelter (Serving Ourselves Farm) is located right in Boston Harbor, each year producing nearly 30,000 pounds of high-quality vegetables, flowers, and herbs for the over 850 homeless individuals served each day. The Farm provides hands-on job training, work-readiness skills, life skills and education for homeless individuals as part of the Serving Ourselves Job Training Program. Individuals in the Culinary Arts track of the program have gone on to gain permanent, gainful employment in restaurant, food, horticulture and landscaping industries using skills they developed at the Farm.

Dorchester’s local fresh produce options increase! On June 10th Mayor Menino celebrated a new farmstand on Blue Hill Avenue. Today marks the start of the Codman Square Farmers’ Market. (DEHC will be there in July, check our calendar!) we are also coming up on the second year of staffing the Farmers’ Market at Ashmont – come by on Friday afternoons starting July 9th for free enviro goodies! More farmers’ markets are happening all over Dorchester. And renovations are underway in lots of our local community gardens, contact us if you are interested in gardening in one.

Peak season is approaching on the farms, and there will be a fantastic selection at this week’s market!
A few highlights for this Friday – sweet corn, award-winning heirloom tomatoes, eggplant, green/wax/shell beans, lettuce, onions, potatoes, cubanelle & green bell peppers, apples, summer/koosa/zucchini squash, blueberries, “everbearing” strawberries, peaches, nectarines and plums from Farmer Dave’s.  Heirloom tomatoes, corn, raspberries, basil, peaches, nectarines and apples from Srping Brook Farm.  ORGANIC baby bok choy, Chinese broccoli, Caribbean laloo and calaloo, pea tendrils, mustard greens, corn, lettuce, cilantro and scallions from Flats Mentor Farm.
Also, freshly baked bread, pies and pastries by Dot-2-Dot Cafe, locally grown flowers and fun garden accessories by Cedar Grove Gardens, and artwork by Dorchester Arts Collaborative Continue Reading »

Dorchester’s Farmers Markets are in full swing – two on Thursdays, at Codman Square and at Bowdoin Street, Friday at Ashmont, two on Saturdays, at Fields Corner and at Mattapan Square, and Tuesdays at Dorchester House. 

DEHC helps out every Friday at the Ashmont Farmers’ Market – a few highlights for this Friday: Face painting for the kids! ~ Strawberry gazpacho and apple pies at Dot-2-Dot Cafe ~ Beautiful zucchini blossoms and pea tendrils at Flats Mentor Farm ~ Garlic and green beans coming in at Farmer Dave’s, plus blueberries at their peak throughout August ~ Concord-grown sunflowers, guaranteed to brighten up the rainiest day, at Cedar Grove Gardens ~ Peaches, raspberries & corn at Spring Brook Farm.

The market, sponsored by SMAMS, ODWIN Learning Center, Wainwright Bank and the Dorchester Environmental Health Coalition, runs every Friday Continue Reading »

Recently in the Globe: A new city program “Boston Bounty Bucks” will expand access to locally grown fruits and vegetables through vouchers that double the value of food stamps at farmers’ markets in Boston. Most of the Dorchester farmers’ markets are participating, see list here.

Now the weather’s better, time to garden! Been noticing many neighbors out greening their space.  What if you don’t have a space? click here to find a Dorchester community garden near you!  Have a flat roof? Maybe a rooftop garden would work for you! Or check around your neighborhood, there might be a small park that needs some weeding help.

A project between the Dorchester Historical Society and Earthworks Boston will establish another edible landscape in Dorchester, click here to see some photos of recent volunteer activity. You can also help out on Saturday May 30, 10 a.m. at the William Clapp House, 195 Boston Street, near the big pear sculpture at Edward Everett Square.

D:2:E Local Bites –  Preview Party April 3, 5-9 pm, Hynes Auditorium, Hall A

Local Bites brings together local sustainable chefs, food producers, green restaurants and sustainable wine to celebrate Boston’s thriving local food culture.  Local Bites Partners: Participating Restaurants include Dorchester’s own Tavolo, Good Life, Henrietta’s Table, Lineage, Upstairs on the Square, The Fireplace Restaurant, New England Aquarium, Boloco – Inspired Burritos.
Browse the expo, talk to exhibitors and be entertained – all while sampling local bites and enjoying wine from Continue Reading »