Allison
Turcan, founder of nonprofit D.I.G. Farm, in North Salem, has formed the
Westchester Local Food Project (WLFP) with a passion to create a more
sustainable and equitable food system for the community. After working with
Worldwide Opportunities on Organic Farms in France—which changed her
perspective on food, our food system and communities—it became her mission to
reconnect communities to the essential values of a local food system, support
food justice and combat food insecurity.
“The Project is made up of passionate
individuals, including farmers, garden educators, regenerative agriculture
believers, herbalists, holistic practitioners, local chefs, self-taught
gardeners and marketers, all working together toward a common goal,” says
Turcan. They are committed to empowering and educating the community about ways
to grow, cook and preserve their own food, with the hope that everyone in
Westchester has access to fresh, healthy, locally grown produce.
She explains, “We believe in a future where
the community is empowered and educated in building a new, sustainable local food
system. That’s why we collaborate with organizations, schools and the
community at large, embedding education at every step of
the way. By encouraging volunteerism, participation and engagement through educational events, we
aim to create a new thriving and equitable local food system for the benefit of
all in Westchester.”
WLFP is also committed to closing the gap on
food justice in other towns by reclaiming shelf space in food pantries and introducing
fresh, locally grown produce and meals made from those ingredients, instead of
highly processed foods. In that way they want to make a positive impact on
communities and create a better future for generations to come.
The Bedford chapter works with childcare
centers and local schools, including Bedford Hills Elementary and Fox Lane’s
middle and high schools. A recently added homeschool program is now held on
Mondays. During the summer, there are classes on regenerative and permaculture
techniques, and WFLP donates food to the Mount Kisco Interfaith Food Pantry,
Community Center of Northern Westchester and Neighbors Link.
A second chapter, in Mount Vernon, has
worked with West Help homeless shelter to offer plants for its daycare garden
and establish a garden at First Presbyterian Church, a collaboration with
church members and a local group Roots and Wings. WLFP also teaches waste-free
cooking and cooks leftover produce for food distribution centers using the
church’s kitchen.
Turcan hosts popular farmer potlucks where
food grown by volunteers using regenerative and permaculture methods is donated
and classes are taught. Schools interested in integrating gardening into their
curricula can get seeds, seedlings and startup help from WLFP.
Upcoming WLFP events include Foraging Wild
Edibles Workshop with Heather Flournoy, of Wild Nearby, at 1 p.m., April 22;
Farm-to-Table: Spring Vegetable Salad Dressings, with Chrys Napolitano, owner
at Two Wrasslin’ Dogs Farms, at 1 p.m., May 6, and 3:30 p.m., May 7; and
Stock Your Pantry for Sustainability: Learn to Cook Plant-Based, with
Elisa Bremner, RDN, at 1 p.m., May 13. This season is packed with diverse, enriching cooking
classes, foraging expeditions, gardening workshops and more. The expert instructors are passionate local
farmers, chefs and specialists that bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to each
class. Fun and engaging kid-friendly programs inspire and educate the next
generation of food enthusiasts.
Turcan adds, “We’re excited to be a part of
this movement towards a more sustainable future, and we invite you to join us
on this journey. Together, we can make a difference and create a better future
for all in Westchester.”
