Are you interested in learning more about gardening, cooking, or food justice? Do you want to get your hands dirty and volunteer with some incredible local organizations? Then you are in the right place! I have searched high and low to highlight a few great ways to get involved in our local food movement. Below are events and volunteer opportunities being put on by organizations that impact the food movement in West Michigan. Hopefully you can find one or two that appeal to you!
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Baxter Community Center
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Strawberry Jamboree
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Thursday, June 25 / 4:00p-7:00p
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Located at Joe Taylor Park – Baxter St SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49506
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Join Baxter Community Center as they celebrate the new season alongside several community partners! This event will have music, kids activities, food samples, and more!
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Volunteer
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Interested in helping Baxter with their greenhouse, community gardens, and neighborhood raised garden bed program? Stop by any Tuesday between 9:00a-12:00p to seed, weed, plant, and work alongside some incredible community members who are focused on improving food access through sharing gardening knowledge and resources.
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For more information click here.
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The Downtown Market
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Cooking Your CSA: Summer Harvest
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Thursday, June 25 / 6:00p-8:30p • $45
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June’s harvest means plenty of kale, turnips, strawberries and garlic scapes. If you’re not sure how your CSA basket makes a meal then join us as we puzzle piece together tonight’s dinner from this week’s harvest.
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Pressure Canning
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Wednesday, June 17 / 6:00p-8:30p • $45
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If you have a pressure canner but want to build a little more confidence before you use it, this hands on class is for you! Learn about basic canning safety and foods that must be pressure-canned, including: beans, meat, soups, and low-acid fruits and vegetables.
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Container Gardening
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Thursday, June 11 / 6:00p-7:30p • $20
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Container gardens are great if you don’t have much space or if you want to test your green thumb before investing in a full-scale garden. Learn what to plant and how to create beautiful container gardens! Join greenhouse experts and learn what works for you!
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Composting and Mulching
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Thursday, June 18 / 6:00p-7:30p • $20
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Learn why composting and mulching is so important for your landscaping and your garden. With this composting 101, you’ll explore alternative mulching materials that won’t break the bank.
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For more information click here.
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Heartside Gleaning Initiative
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Members of the Heartside Gleaning Initiative (HGI) came together to empower the Heartside and surrounding communities to develop food systems that can redirect, or glean, unused healthy food to residents in need. They educate community members on the importance of healthy eating and give them the tools to prepare their own nutritious meals.
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HGI is currently looking for volunteers to fill spots for their Saturday summer gleaning from June 6th to October 10th.
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For more information click here.
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Holland Farmers’ Market
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June 6, June 13, June 20, & June 27 / 10:00a
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Every Saturday, the Holland Farmers Market holds cooking demonstrations where area chefs demonstrate how to use fresh, seasonal, and locally grown ingredients to prepare a simple and healthy meal straight from the Market.
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For more information click here.
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Our Kitchen Table
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OKT seeks to promote social justice and serve as a vehicle that empowers our neighbors so that they can improve their health and environment, and the health and environment of their children, through information, community organizing and advocacy.
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Cook, Eat & Talk
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June 8 / 6:00p – 8:00p
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Join for a cooking demonstration & light meal.
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Brown-Hutcherson Ministries – 618 Jefferson SE, 49503
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Women of Color Convening
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June 25 / 6:00p-8:00p
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Danielle Atkinson, founding director of Mothering Justice, hosts a dialogue on Paid Sick Days.
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Brown-Hutcherson Ministries – 618 Jefferson SE, 49503
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For more information click here.
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Southeast Area Farmers’ Market
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Market Begins:
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June 19 on Fridays, 4:00p-6:00p at Garfield Park, 334 Burton St. SE 49507 & Saturdays, 12:00p-2:00p at GR Ford Academic Ctr., 851 Madison SE, 49507
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Special Dates:
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Cooking Demos – June 26 & 27
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Summer Celebration DJ & fun activities – June 27
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For more information click here.
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Urban Roots
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Volunteer at Urban Roots: a permaculture and urban farming company in Grand Rapids.
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You can volunteer every Wednesday night beginning June 10 from 5:00p-7:00p.
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Meet at Urban Roots – 1059 Wealthy Street SE for instruction and brief orientation.
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Bring a water bottle! Work may include weeding, harvesting, building beds, construction and development of lots, etc.
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For more information click here.
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Wellhouse
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Volunteer with Wellhouse: a local nonprofit that provides safe, affordable housing to the homeless.
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You can volunteer on their urban farm and gardens every Wednesday from 10:00a-3:00p.
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Meet at Wellhouse – 600 Cass SE Grand Rapids, MI 49503.
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Over the next month Well House will be cultivating, planting and maintaining their properties to promote a healthy growing season.
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For more information click here.
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Have volunteer opportunities or food events for July that you would like me to highlight here? Feel free to send them my way at dana@localfirst.com!
