“Organic does not guarantee nutritious.” That’s how the nonprofit Bionutrient Food Association (BFA) begins their message of improving the soil to increase the quality of food.

Ellen Best, a Pound Ridge gardener, shares that philosophy. “Both our gut and the soil need good bacteria and a balanced system to produce healthy results. Healthy soil not only produces healthy crops, but also sequesters carbon, a possible solution to climate change.”

She and Doug DeCandia, the Food Growing Program coordinator for the Food Bank for Westchester, co-lead the BFA Bedford Chapter, which hosts monthly potluck meetings for gardeners, farmers, nutritionists and foodies at all levels of experience. The meetings include themed presentations, networking and demonstrations in the garden. Anyone is welcome, including families, Best says.

Monthly meetings are held on weekdays from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., at the Westchester Land Trust in Bedford Hills. Upcoming meetings are March 15, April 17, May 16, June 14, July 17, August 15, September 13, October 16, November 14 and December 13.

For more info, email [email protected] or visit Bionutrient.org.