Give for Good: New Roots helps people get access to fresh, healthy food

I recently returned home to Louisville after nearly a year away, having the revelation that family matters most. I made west Louisville my home. To help me transition, I got SNAP benefits (food stamps) and a room at my friends’ house. I didn’t think there would be any possibility to join mutual aid groups during a pandemic and physical isolation. However, a dear friend who works with New Roots told me that I could join and get access to affordable, farm-fresh, local organic food through any one of their eight Fresh Stop Markets.

New Roots’ mission is to ignite community power for fresh food access. Its vision is for everyone in our community, regardless of race, zip code, faith or ability to pay, have access to the farm-fresh food we all need to be happy and healthy. In its 11th year, New Roots has seen its highest demand ever, connecting more than 2,000 individuals — most of whom have limited resources — to three small Kentucky farms and a consistent supply of healthy food.

I spent $66 of my SNAP benefits for all the organic produce I can eat for the entire growing season. Every biweekly bag includes eight varieties of seasonal, fresh produce. I feel relieved and overjoyed to be involved with such a great movement that is tackling food injustice in our community.

I’ve found one of the most challenging aspects of living in west Louisville is feeling as if I have to move mountains just to get decent food. There are very limited options for affordable fresh food, and my local grocery doesn’t offer a consistent supply of good quality produce. I signed up with New Roots and began to connect to the glorious food offered biweekly at the California Community Center, 1600 St. Catherine St. I am glad that my contribution to the sliding scale helps Kentucky family farms make a decent living.

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Since Fresh Stop Markets depend on shareholders to pitch in their money and time, I was thrilled to be asked to help out at my market. I was able to discuss the food apartheid in my community with people who have always lived in the area. I became more aware of myself and my surroundings and realized that I had joined the solution. We all believe in what we’re doing, and the benefits to our individual and community health are easy to see. New Roots not only provides fresh, nutrient-rich food, but we all share our knowledge of cooking from scratch. Plus, having skin in the game financially and physically means we are all learning about how to support each other.

During this time of isolation and intense loss, to feel connected to the ongoing cycles of life restores my soul. I have three roommates, close friends also transitioning to a better life in Louisville, and we are often overwhelmed with sadness and the stress of our lives. Every other Tuesday at the California Fresh Stop Market brings a promise of joy as we learn about the local farms that feed us, watch the crops change with the season and share our ideas about what we will create. None of us were healthy eaters before we started cooking New Roots food, but it has become our favorite creative outlet.

When I pick up my share, the New Roots team always asks how I am doing, and they are always kind and generous with surplus foods. Once I was unable to pick up my share, but the next day, they had it waiting for me back at their headquarters in Portland. That gesture gave me a sense of belonging and I knew they sincerely cared for me.

Now that I am acclimated to my new job and settled in Louisville, I find myself ready to dig further into New Roots. My first step in doing that is to ask you to give to this amazing organization. Please put Sept.17 on your calendar and get involved in the Community Foundation of Louisville’s Give For Good Louisville.

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When you wake up that day, go to giveforgoodlouisville.org/organizations/new-roots-inc and donate. Please be generous, as the need for fresh food and the disparity across our city between those with access and those without has only been amplified during this pandemic. We need all hands on deck to help Louisville build a cohesive, connected city where we show we care about each other, not only with words but with actions.

Our most powerful vote right now is with our dollar. With adequate funding, organizations like New Roots can help more people seize this opportunity not only to learn and help build, but to witness that our Earth is abundant, and community shared agriculture ensures that our future is secure.

Selena McCracken is a volunteer with New Roots and its Fresh Stop Market at the California Community Center.