Maryland's Buy Local Food Challenge

We wanted to provide a healthy, locally grown meal to those who might not have otherwise had it available to them because of Frederick’s food deserts. We used primarily produce that was grown in local community gardens that are part of FFSN. The meal was generously sponsored by Frederick Memorial Hospital whose very own Suzanne Jacobson, the FMH garden coordinator, also came to help prepare and serve the meal with her daughter. In addition to the volunteers from FFSN and FMH, people who regularly attend the meal helped cook and prepare food alongside us, so it was really a joint effort.

It was a great experience, and I loved working with the local community to put this meal together. We made a massive fruit salad, a great black bean and corn salad with a lime dressing, and sautéed squash. We also provided take-home kits that contained the ingredients needed to easily recreate the black bean and corn salad at home. Sometimes super delicious and healthy meals can look complicated, and we wanted to demonstrate how simple these healthy options really are. 

Despite the rainy weather, there was a good turnout, and I was happy to offer my hand, however unexperienced in the kitchen it may be, in cutting up fruit for the salad while my fellow Hood College student Nate sliced up so much squash I wasn’t sure there would be a bowl big enough. Everyone was unbelievably kind and welcoming, which made the opportunity to help my community all the better.

When the meal was being served, some people were skeptical of the newer options at first, but plenty of people were willing to try it and take even a small scoop. Even better, a number of people ended up coming back for more after discovering how tasty it was! It's exciting to see how open everyone was to trying our dishes, and I look forward to seeing what we try next!