This new year feels a lot like last year. There are some themes we would have liked to leave behind in 2020—the coronavirus pandemic, policing of Black people, and political turmoil. Food insecurity in our city is also an issue we wish could have ended last year, but we are reenergized to continue to GROW, SHARE, and ADVOCATE for a healthy and just food system for all.

January brings the opportunity to advocate for increased funding of #healthyschoolmeals. The food justice interns, community advocates, and Cultivate staff presented their and requests during the School Board/City Council joint budget meeting about the importance of infrastructure changes. With additional monies allocated toward school meals, schools can upgrade resources, continue to professionalize positions within the Nutrition Department, and provide healthy meals for all students. Follow our Facebook & Instagram accounts as well as information posted to our website for more information.

 CITY SCHOOLYARD GARDEN                                            

Harvest of the Month by Sarah Wayne

The Harvest of the Month initiative continues to deliver local, seasonal produce to students by bringing them to students’ homes. In lieu of in-person taste tests, Cultivate Charlottesville and Charlottesville City Schools are collaborating with PB&J Fund, Local Food Hub, and 4P Foods to incorporate the Harvest of the Month crop and the student-illustrated backpack flier into their weekly produce and Fresh Farmacy bags. 

[Check out our archive of Harvest of the Month flyers for recipes and crop information.] 

Harvest of the Month posters featuring student artwork

 URBAN AGRICULTURE COLLECTIVE                               

A Farmer's Profile by Jenifer Minor

Being a farmer means being connected to the seasons. Spring is usually busy, but summer is the busiest time of the year. Things start to slow down in the fall, but there’s a rush to finish up all the work before winter.   

I have been farming at UAC for almost six years now, and I really enjoy working in the garden. It gives me some peace of mind and time for myself. During the winter, there’s not much work to do, so sometimes, I find myself wishing I was back out in the garden. 

Jenifer and other UAC team members along with their harvest at the 6th Street garden

 FOOD JUSTICE NETWORK                                                 

Want to find emergency food resources during COVID-19?

Food Justice Network, in collaboration with the City of Charlottesville, has launched the 24/7 Food Security Text Line in English and Spanish to provide information on local food resources! The service provides information on food resources in the city of Charlottesville and the counties of Albemarle, Augusta, Greene, Buckingham, Louisa, Fluvanna, and Nelson.

The service was created as a response to community feedback and confusion surrounding the changing food access support as a result of the rising food insecurity caused by COVID-19 and exacerbated inequities. The 24/7 Food Security Text Line will provide community members with more personalized information through a more direct avenue of communication. 

Residents can text “FOOD” for English, or “COMIDA” for Spanish to (844)- 947-6518 and follow the text prompts to use the service. FJN is continuously collecting feedback regarding the service in order to keep improving it; please share your comments by clicking this link.

 CULTIVATE EVENTS                                                           

For more information or to join Food Justice Network full team meetings, contact Gabby Levet at gabby@cultivatecharlottesville.org

 CULTIVATE SOCIAL JUSTICE BOOK CLUB                    

Here are a few of the titles we are reading:

Where Do We Go From Here: Chaos or Community?, Martin Luther King, Jr. 

Hunger and Food Security Are Not the Same. Here's Why That Matters—and What They Mean, Simran Sethi, The Counter

David Scott Sets Racial Justice, Food Security, and Climate Change as Priorities for House Ag, Lisa Held, Civil Eats

CULTIVATE IN THE NEWS                                                 

From all of us at Cultivate Charlottesville—a hearty thank you to the many new supporters that have pitched in to keep our work going to build food equity during COVID-19 and beyond.

At Cultivate Charlottesville we believe that working together to grow gardens, share food and power, and advocate for just systems cultivates a healthy community for all.