Around the Block: 11/19/2021

Food Moxie is an organization that partners with schools and community organizations to provide hands-on education in gardening, farming, nutrition, and culinary arts. Their goal is to provide tools and resources that allow communities to grow, cook, and enjoy healthy food. Check out their website to learn more. Studies have shown that kids who participate in growing fresh produce tend to eat more healthy veggies and more whole, less processed foods in general. And even better, fresh produce, eggs, and other fresh food that is grown/cultivated by Food Moxie and its parent organization Weavers Way Co-op are provided to local communities in need.

That is where we come in. As Weavers Way working members, my family volunteers to help Food Moxie distribute food to the community. A quick opinion on Weavers Way: I consider it to be the world’s best co-op! It is amazing. A funny story is that when the Blocks first moved to Mt Airy, I told my wife Kristen that sure I would shop at Weavers Way once in a while, but I would still plan to go to Whole Foods all the time. Of course, I would. I was addicted to Whole Foods. Long story short, Weavers Way ended that Whole Foods addiction cold. We do about 65% of our shopping at Weavers Way Mount Airy, about 15% at Weavers Way Chestnut Hill, and yes, about 20% at some mix of Acme/Amazon/Whole Foods/Miscellaneous combo. Weavers Way Mt Airy is very small, but it is exceptionally curated- providing the effect of a much bigger store. There is also a Weavers Way Ambler and perhaps, an awesome Weavers Way Germantown on the way.

Anyway, last Friday, Kristen and I volunteered to hand out boxes of fresh, local produce and eggs to the East Germantown/West Oak Lane communities. From the MLK High School, we handed out boxes to those who drove by and asked for them. Some people saw the social media posts, and some were drive-buys. As simple as that. All we asked is that those who took boxes used them or passed them on to neighbors in their community. People were so appreciative.

Now Kristen and I had it easy. We showed up for a two-hour shift and handed out boxes to appreciative people. That was amazing. But this kind of program involves a lot of work (even after growing the food and raising the hens, while educating school kids). The boxes needed to be packed and trucked over to the site before we could distribute. I wish I could thank everyone who did this, but two people we met who were organizing, lifting, distributing, and everything else were the Food Moxie Manager of Growing Spaces Brandon Ritter, and the Food Moxie Interim Executive Director (and Board Member) Catherine Kendig. Loved hanging out with Brandon and Catherine and they both have fascinating backgrounds. You can read about them and the rest of Food Moxie’s staff and Board here. All in all, a really awesome day.

Oh, by the way, this afternoon, Food Moxie will be distributing turkeys to the community from the same location—MLK High School.

Thank you, Food Moxie!

I hope everyone enjoys the weekend!

Best regards,

Jeff