Welcome MAP's new Farmhouse Coordinator, Addison!

 Help us welcome Addison, MAP's new 
Farmhouse Coordinator & AmeriCorps VISTA member!

Over the next year, Addison (she/her) will be focusing on how MAP will be able to better utilize the Farmhouse as a vibrant community space for food education along with creating partnerships to establish a more food-secure city. She will be helping MAP Staff establish a calendar of events, virtual or in person, coordinating the use and future rental of all Farmhouse spaces, and helping us create best practices for volunteer opportunities. Addison is an integral addition to the team and we are so excited to have her here!

 

Before MAP, Addison earned her BA in History and Psychology from SUNY Buffalo in 2019. During her undergraduate career she studied abroad at Akita International University in Akita, Japan. She has worked as a research intern for the National Institute on Drug Abuse in Atlanta, Georgia, and as a museum education intern at the Sharlot Hall Museum in Prescott, Arizona. This is Addison’s second year of AmeriCorps service. She spent her first term in Hood River, Oregon as an Outreach Coordinator at a local history museum. In her spare time Addison enjoys baking, soapmaking and exploring historic sites around Buffalo.

MAP Youth Rifat talks about the 'Today's Leaders' Conference

Today's Leaders Conference 2020: 

A Virtual Civic Engagement Conference

- By Rifat, MAP Youth & Communication Specialist

Last Friday MAP teens were invited to create a workshop for Today’s Leaders:  A Virtual Civic Engagement Conference, hosted by Erie County 4-H. The goal of the workshop was, ‘Ensuring the Visibility of Youth for a Better Tomorrow’. There were many workshops, provided by youth from all over Western New York, including, ‘Building Diverse Friendships’, ‘Applying Leadership Mindset to our Community 2020’, ‘How COVID Affects Parent and Youth Relationships’, and many more.

Neena, MAP’s Youth Education Director, and MAP Youth May, Sara, Alize and I decided to take the opportunity to deliver a workshop to help make our community stronger. This was difficult at first, as this was our first time creating a workshop, but Neena guided us very well through our fears and we decided the topic of the workshop would be “How to advocate for yourself”. Coincidently, I wrote an article a few weeks ago on self advocacy (if you missed it feel free to check it out here).

We came up with an idea to play Kahoot, a game-based learning platform that makes it easy to create, share and play learning games or trivia quizzes in minutes. We came up with scenarios and asked the audience what they would do, for example, if your teacher said your name wrong what would you do? Would you politely correct her, pronounce her name wrong, or do something else?

It was interesting to see how people had different opinions, the fun part is when we were steering the audience through self advocacy and realized what it means to have control of your audience. As the game went smoothly we gave out 5 steps to being an advocate by asking questions about the issue you stand up for. These included; Ask yourself why you are doing what you are doing? Who has paved the way for you? How did the issue become a problem in the first place? What is the scope of your issue and what do you hope to achieve? These questions made our audience think for a while\ and we gave them time to do so. These 5 steps helped each individual in locking down their motives, establishing role models, understanding their historical context, focusing their issue, and paving the way forward. At the end of the day, even when some of us were scared first, the workshop was a success and we had great feedback from our audience. It is a fact that MAP teens helped others to advocate for the issues they believe in and we couldn't be happier.

To get full access to 5 steps of being an advocate, our workshop, visit the link below:

https://documentcloud.adobe.com/link/review?uri=urn:aaid:scds:US:d71a4176-8c5c-4268-abf6-85c4f4ed8770 

MAP Youth Rifat talks about Deforestation

WHY AGRICULTURE LEADS TO DEFORESTATION? - By Rifat, MAP Youth Communication Specialist

Normally when you talk about deforestation, a large-scale clearing of land-generally for agriculture, industry, or transportation - an image of black fumes from factories is created in my mind. Little did I know that farming and agriculture are one of the main reasons for deforestation. As shocking as it may sound, it is a fact that the equivalent of over 10,000 football fields are destroyed each day in the Amazon Basin alone. Each day!! That huge rate is destroying hundreds of species every minute. To make the matter worse, we are destroying rainforests which are home to 50 percent of the world's plants and animals. 

                                        

                                     

How does agriculture actually cause deforestation. Isn't it supposed to be good for the environment? Not really. As the human population grows so does the demand for meat, as demand rises so does the production rate. The number of cattle are increasing and they require space and nourishment, therefore millions of trees are cut every year to make land available for feed crops and grazed pastures. This totally makes sense and reflects the research presented by Sentient Media “Nearly 60 percent of the world’s arable land is used for beef production alone, which requires large amounts of land used for cattle grazing and cultivating feed crops like soy.” 

Also, forests are intentionally set on fire to make more land for cattle grazing and feed crops, taking away all species life with it. This disrupts water cycle and soil fertility, also threatening people living and working with in the forest. Moreover, we are just making our planet warmer by releasing greenhouse gases from the destruction of trees. The less trees available to consume carbon, the more carbon we release which makes us more hot. Now I can go on and on and on and on regarding how evil as humans we have become to our mother planet, but it makes the point clear that deforestation is simply bad for the planet, plants, animals and humans too.

There is a way to save ourselves from this disaster. And the solution is rather simple, as meat production is the largest contributor to the world's deforestation. We have to decrease our demand for meat. It's simple if the world wants to stop deforestation we have to stop supporting companies that are making a profit out of it. Being a conscious consumer is good for the planet and for the consumer itself-by choosing local, plant-based food options instead of resource-intensive meat or dairy products. To make a more long lasting impact we must support reforestation organizations that help create forests by planting and growing more trees. Just being mindful of the choices we make as a consumer will benefit us all even if it feels small and insignificant. And this is how we can stop deforestation and finish the problems we created for ourselves.

To learn more about deforestation and how you can help -

https://sentientmedia.org/how-does-agriculture-cause-deforestation/

MAP Youth Rifat visits our Farm Partners!

Journey to the Farms

- by Rifat, MAP Youth & Communication Specialist

Taylor turns the key on the truck and there is pure “Silence”. “Hmm I think the battery is dead,” said Taylor, MAP’s Mobile Market Veggie Van Coordinator. And that's how my awesome journey started. As a teen who loves long drives, I was looking forward to spending this day with Taylor. The plan was to go out to help bring in produce from three different farms, get to know the farmers and their business, take videos about their farm mission. A bonus was I got to also enjoy the natural beauty of the countryside.

As I was full of excitement, we did not have the best start-the battery of the truck was dead. I was scared that we might have to reschedule this awesome journey and I was a bit disappointed. But then again I wasn't surprised by this incident as all these little things are common at MAP as a non-profit. But no need to fear when Danielle is here. When we introduced the issue to her she drove her car near the truck, she did a ‘jump start’ and taught Taylor how to do it and explained how important it is. This was not surprising for her as this was quite frequent and the solution was easy if you know it!

Colin Erdle, from Erdle Farm

Taylor turned the keys again and “vroom vroom!!!”. Yes, I did not have to reschedule the long drive!! Then we headed out the farms, to the highway and the first thing I noticed was how wide the view is when you're in a truck compared to normal cars . It was great to have a broader view and I really enjoyed it. On the way I had really good conversations with Taylor, to give some context we talked about our favourite foods and what we like and dislike about Buffalo. I felt grateful as I got to know more about a MAP member and your job becomes much more interesting and fun when you get closer with your peers.

As we visited the farms my eyes were delighted with greenery and as a person who loves nature, I couldn't be happier. Moreover, to actually meet and speak with the owner of the farms was a whole another experience. Each of them were so cool and friendly and they happily answered my questions and appreciated my interest. For example, one of the farmers that grew berries had plastic nets covering some of the plants. My guess was maybe for the pests, the answer was “it's for the birds”. Birds have a good taste I see.

But my most favourite part of the day - I was able to film the experience, the job i love to do-my passion. I got some amazing shots and was blown away with what I captured with my camera and can't wait to edit all the footage and show the world how beautiful and awesome of an experience this was outside Buffalo today. Stay tuned for the upcoming video!

MAP Youth Rifat talks about Food Insecurity & the Right to Food

FOOD INSECURITIES & FOOD RIGHTS

- By Rifat, MAP Youth Communication Specialist

Do you think we have enough food to feed everyone in the world? My guess was “obviously we don’t”, but the answer is not only do we have enough but we have more than enough food to feed everyone. As mind blowing as this is to me, I was more surprised to know why there are still people right at this moment going to sleep with an empty stomach.

We have the food needed, but the problem is the availability or access to food for individuals. For you, it's maybe a 10 min drive to a supermarket while some have to walk miles to just get water. And this is just one of the many food insecurities- disruption of food intake or eating patterns because of lack of money and other resources- that cause people to go to bed hungry. 

Furthermore, some can't even afford enough food to keep them alive. Either the food itself is expensive or people in need receive little to no assistance from the government or community. You may still face trouble with getting food if you have access and afford it. How? It may be not nutritional or safe to eat such as some growers have less regulations and some use harmful pesticides. This is just one of the many reasons how your food can be unhealthy for you. All of these factors revolve around food securities that cause hunger. (To learn more about food insecurities check out this article on the Office of Disease Prevention & Health Promotion's website.)

Hunger and malnutrition can be defined as a condition that results from eating a diet in which one or more nutrients are either not enough or are too much such that the diet causes health problems - this is basic food rights. Wait, we have rights to food? Yes, it's a basic human right. Now you may ask what exactly does it mean to have the right to food? Well in wikipedia terms, it is the right of people to feed themselves in dignity, implying that sufficient food is available, that people have the means to access it, and that it adequately meets the individual's dietary needs. In easy words, the right to not be hungry and malnourished. These rights include the government and communities helping the poor/lower income families get sustainable access to healthy food and also in an affordable way. This idea /rights has been present since the 1900s and is still becoming more popular day by day. The United Nations has brought various programs to ensure this simple human right and still to this date there are numerous countries who have not signed or ratified these rights into their countries. 

According to USDA statistics, more than 41 million Americans face hunger, including nearly 13 million children. This shows that even living in a high status country we still have a long way to go in solving the problem revolving around food and poverty. The idea/solution to food insecurity is present by implementing laws that will support and protect human rights. Hunger is a huge issue but no problem is big enough for mankind to fail at resolving that issue. (To learn more about food rights visit the Public Health Review's website.)

DID YOU KNOW: The MAP Mobile Market has market sites all over the city of Buffalo?! MAP brings fresh local, affordable and culturally appropriate fruits and veggies to neighborhoods who have limited or no access to healthy produce. Customers can pay for their purchase with cash, credit/debit, SNAP, Double Up Food Bucks, and Farmers Market Nutrition Program checks. Everyone is welcome to shop with us. To find out where our truck is, click here, or come by the MAP Farmhouse (387 Massachusetts Avenue) every Thursday from 3pm - 6pm!

Garlic Scape Pesto [BIG BATCH]

Image from Savuer Magazine

It's time to make a BIG batch of garlic scape pesto. The basil is fresh, the scapes are clipped and the tortellini is calling us to make up this fun summer sauce. 

You don't have to limit your pesto to pasta. Try it on zucchini, top a grilled chicken breast, dip some tortilla chips, or smother your fresh sourdough. Pesto is good on practically anything. 

Garlic Scape Pesto [BIG BATCH]

30-40 garlic scapes (approximately 2 bunches, chopped roughly to fit in your food processor)

1 1/2 cup toasted walnuts, pinenuts, pepita, or shelled sunflower seeds (toasted or raw)

1/4 lb basil leaves

1+ teaspoon coarse sea salt, to taste

½+ teaspoon black pepper, to taste

1 tablespoon lemon juice

lemon zest, to taste

olive oil, about 2 cups, to taste

optional: 1 cup Parmigiano Reggiano or vegan parm substitute, other herbs, 

Place the scapes, toasted nuts/seeds, basil leaves, coarse sea salt & pepper in the bowl of your food processor. Pulse a few times until the ingredients are roughly mixed and chopped. Add  lemon juice, zest, and parm (if using) and give a quick blend.

With the processor running, slowly pour the olive through the feed tube, about 1/4 cup at a time. Keep pouring and processing until the mixture is a thick and spreadable, but not completely smooth. Some of us like chunky pesto, some like it smooth. Experiment with texture until you find your personal sweet spot. Pesto is ready to eat once blended. 

To store, transfer the pesto to a container and pour a thin layer of olive oil over top to seal and prevent browning. Store in the refrigerator. Freezes well! 

If you open your stored pesto and the top has browned, don't worry! You can scrape away the brown layer to delicious pesto underneath. 

This recipe doubles, triples or even quadruples well! How big of a batch are you going to make?!

To make a creamy pesto sauce, MAP Intern Alum Alexa suggests you add Oat Milk! This is now our favorite way to eat pasta in the summertime. 

Staying healthy at our Mobile Market stops!

 

✨ For everyone's safety ✨

We are working hard to stay healthy at market stops!

☑️ Staff are happily wearing their masks at all market stops. Customers are asked to wear masks while shopping. We have one for you if you forget.

☑️ Produce is displayed in smaller quantities.

🛍️ We bag your produce for you! You can still bring your reusable bag & you'll save $0.50 if you do.

☑️ Hand sanitizer, provided by NY Ag & Markets, is available for anyone to use at all market stops

☑️ Signatures are not required for credit card purchases. We are happy to enter pins for customers who are comfortable with that practice.

☑️ All surfaces and devices are wiped down before, during, and after markets.

☑️ Reusable & disposable masks, donated by generous partners such as Colvin Cleaners and Open Buffalo, are available for free at market stops. Beautiful reusable masks made by @stitchbuffalo are available for purchase at low cost to our customers.

☑️ Hand sanitizer, bottled at Bootleg Bucha, is available for purchase at low cost to our customers.

☑️ All of MAP staff are assessing their health daily, according to NYS guidelines.

☑️ Samples are not available at Mobile Market locations. If you're unsure how something tastes or how you might use it in a dish, please ask! We have LOTS of great ideas and recipes on hand. You can take a paper copy home or snap a pic on your phone. Check our Pinterest for TONS of inspiration 👉@massaveproject

💓 THANK YOU 💓 to all of you for keeping cool about our 

mask policy and offering lots of patience as we adapt our business!

💓 THANK YOU 💓 to our partners for helping keep our markets safe and open!