
Christ the King Lutheran Church Community Garden
One visit to Christ the King Lutheran Church in Coeur d’Alene will leave you feeling humbled and excited by the variety of ways this organization is contributing to the surrounding community’s food needs. Last year they started a community garden that has been received with much enthusiasm since its inception.…
Read MoreEat Local! Eggs
Eggs – arguably, the perfect food. Rich in protein and heart-healthy fats, eggs are a gold-mine of nutrients. But, you must eat the entire egg to benefit. For too long, America has throw away the yolk because of cholesterol fears. Yes, eggs are rich in cholesterol, but since 1958, we…
Read MoreMiranda Foster – Farmer
What inspired you to become a farmer? I was exposed to local, fresh food and meat from an early age; I grew up on farm in Montana with 150 cattle. That experience led me to consider my love for agriculture and I decided to pursue small farming by starting a local Community Supported Agriculture (CSA)…
Read MoreCarolyn Shewfelt
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] Food Bank Program Manager, Community Action Program What inspired you to work at a food bank? Carolyn Shewfelt was in a crisis when she suddenly found herself unable to put food on the dinner table for her family. She was juggling a divorce and quickly found her circumstances further complicated…
Read MoreEat Local! Swiss Chard
Contrary to its name, Swiss Chard is not native to Switzerland. Although it does prefer a cooler growing season, it is actually native to the Mediterranean region. Greek philosopher Aristotle wrote about Swiss Chard’s medicinal properties in the 4th century BC, doting over its anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant potential. Today, Swiss…
Read MoreEat Local! Parsnips
Parsnips are a sweet root vegetable – like the albino cousin of carrots. They were used in Europe in the 17th century to sweeten jams and cakes before refined white sugar became available to the masses. They can be used to replace carrots or potatoes in dishes – a great…
Read MoreEd Ducar
Nutrition Services Director What inspired you to become a Nutrition Services Director? Ed Ducar’s first taste of food service work began with a job at Burger King. After obtaining a degree in Food and Dietetics, he discovered that he also had a passion for the science of cooking. Fresh out…
Read MoreAuld Link Sausage
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]By Astrid Rial, @Cycling_Chef Wrapping up 2015, my 12-year old son asked me for one word to describe my year. The one I chose is slowfood. I’m using the URL address spelling to fit into the “one word” rule. Since moving to Idaho in late summer in 2014, I began…
Read MoreEat Local! Pulses
The United Nations has declared 2016 “The International Year of Pulses”. What is a pulse you ask? Pulses are the nutritionally-dense edible seed of legumes which includes dry peas, beans, lentils and chickpeas. They are nutrition power-houses that the average American eats very little of compared to other cultures. Those…
Read MoreDiane Green
Farmer – Greentree Naturals What inspired you to become a farmer? There really isn’t a simple answer. My background is horticulture, so I’ve cultivated gardens, worked outside or in greenhouses most of my adult life. My husband Thom has a biology background and grew up working on the family farm.…
Read MoreEat Local! Sweet Potatoes
Despite often being called yams, sweet potatoes are a species distinct from that of both yams and potatoes. They are harvested September through December but can be found fresh, canned or frozen year-round at any grocery store. Sweet potatoes can spoil easily so it is best to choose those with…
Read MoreSetting the Table: Re-framing the debate on GMOs
By Carl Segerstrom Twenty-five years ago there were no commercially produced Genetically Modified Organism (GMO) foods. Fast-forward to 2015 and GMO corn, soy, and cotton each account for over 90 percent of total planted acreage in the United States. Amidst this stratospheric increase of GMO foods there is growing concern…
Read MoreEat Local! Einkorn Wheat
From big-box stores to local health food markets, ancient grains are everywhere! The term “ancient grains” usually refers to grains that were cultivated and eaten thousands of years ago in different areas of the World. They are making a comeback on the food scene as consumers demand alternative grains to…
Read MoreSeeds of the Past, Seeds for the Future
By Carl Segerstrom Amidst growing concern over a changing climate and the pressure it places on our societies and specifically our food system, there is a desperate need to recapture the vitality of our food systems by preserving the most basic unit of agriculture: the seed. Over the last century…
Read MoreEat Local! Tomatoes
Holy smoke! Our bodies are working overtime protecting us from potential oxidative damage by the recent smoke exposure. Until we get a good rain, the issue is likely to persist and we need antioxidants to help protect us more than ever! So it must be a relief to hear that…
Read MoreA Place to Grow
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1438962627187{border-top-width: 10px !important;border-right-width: 15px !important;border-bottom-width: 10px !important;border-left-width: 10px !important;padding-top: 10px !important;padding-right: 10px !important;padding-bottom: 10px !important;padding-left: 10px !important;}”]By Carl Segerstrom Amidst a residential neighborhood near downtown Coeur d’Alene something beautiful is happening. A gathering place to build community and share nature’s bounty is growing. Food overflows from raised beds overshadowed…
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