I haven't been on here in SO LONG! I was drowning in grant paper work and then dived into more local initiatives so, I'll apologize that it has been a while since my last post and tell you all about the amazing things happening, deal?

The Lunch Express ended strong serving over 600 kids a day they may have even hit 700. My bus served 300 different kids this Summer. Second Harvest is busy moving into their new home and the whispers I have heard about where new programming would like to go are really exciting. I can't wait to see what they come up with next.

A new group called Everyone Acting Together in Solidarity (E.A.T.S) is working on the Second Annual Free to You BBQ. Last year they focused on local hunger issues and this year they are highlighting the Living Wage struggle. Word is they will have great food, even better music and provide a wonderful place for our community to come together and get to work on something cool.

Build It Up East TN is inching ever nearer to finding a home for the Johnson City Seed Library. Many people have expressed interest and support. Keep sending them your love! It will be a valuable resource and tool for our community to combat food insecurity.

They also have an exciting garden opportunity in the works so keep your fingers crossed that they find funding.

One Acre Cafe is on schedule to open this Fall. They will be such a wonderful new treasure to our community. They will be a nonprofit restaurant that will provide meals on a sliding scale for donations of money or time. And they want to source their food locally, even better!

I know I am forgetting projects, but you should check out all of these wonderful groups and like their social media pages. Sharing is caring.

Community gardens and small community farms are popping up in conversations and strategic plans all over Johnson City. I'll be keeping everything crossed hoping that these programs actually take off and the sooner the better.

P.S. Check out Grow Appalachia and fall in love, like I did. Till next time how about some easy listening?

                                               Grow a Garden by Kesang Marstrand