AN INTRO TO THE STL COMMUNITY GARDENING MOVEMENT

TILLINGOURCITY SOIL

a project of the SOCIAL JUSTICE CENTER

want to know more?

contact julia ho @:

missjuliaho@gmail.com

sjc.washu@gmail.com

thank you!

This zine is a way for me to combine my personal love for community gardening with various perspectives on social justice issues, as well as learn more about the movement that’s happening right here in St. Louis (my home away from home).

Although community gardening is a topic that I have become increasingly interested in since coming to college, my first gardening experiences actually stem from my upbringing in Lubbock, Texas. My mother, who was raised in a farming community, established TreeGrace Farms in 1999 in honor of her father Shu-En (literally, “tree grace”) Chou. Since then, she has become a passionate advocate for the principles of Urban Organic Agriculture, both in the West Texas region and in her Taiwanese hometown.

a bit of background... TABLE OF CONTENTS

cover photo:http://www.behance.net/gallery/Vegetable-drawings/4111787back photo: http://cookinupastorm.tumblr.com/post/23896933696/vegetable-drawings

1-2 Food Justice

3-4 Neighborhood Revitalization

5-6 Environmental Sustainability

7-20 STL HIGHlights

21 VEGEtable garden calendar

22 CHALLENGES

23-26 burning kumquat updates

27-28 map guide

THE ISSUE: FOOD JUSTICE

In 2011, 50.1 million Americans lived in food insecure households. Food insecurity is often precipitated by multiple political, economic and social factors, and as a result disproportionately affects African American and Hispanic populations, children, seniors, and single parent households1.

All of these factors contribute to extreme imbalances in access to healthy food. For instance, studies have found that wealthy districts have three times as many supermarkets as poor ones do, that white neighborhoods contain an average of four times as many supermarkets as predominantly black ones do, and that grocery stores in African-American communities are usually smaller with less selection. According to another report prepared for Congress by the Economic Research Service of the US Department of Agriculture, about 2.3 million people (or 2.2 percent of all US households) live more than one mile away from a supermarket and do not own a car.2

One result of these imbalances is that people in affected communities are often forced to rely on processed or fast foods that have little nutritional value and high amounts of added fats and sugars. Food insecurity is NOT due to a lack of food, but rather to systematic flaws and inequalities in the distribution of healthy, nutritious food.

THE ROLE OF COMMUNITY GARDENING

Community gardens are especially valuable in regions affected by food insecurity because they provide local access to healthy, reliable, and nutritious foods. They empower people to produce their own food and create collective working spaces within the community. In light of rising food prices, gardening is also an incredibly affordable option; some projects have estimated that community gardeners save between $75 and $380 in food costs every season3.

1 http://feedingamerica.org/hunger-in-america/hunger-facts/hunger-and-poverty-statistics.aspx2 http://www.foodispower.org/food_deserts.php3 http://www.gardeningmatters.org/sites/default/files/Multiple%20Benefits_2012.pdf

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THE ISSUE: NEIGHBORHOOD REVITALIZATION

THE ROLE OF COMMUNITY GARDENING

Often, the same social, political, and economic factors that deprive communities of access to healthy food also lead to unemployment, high crime rates, and political disenfranchisement in urban neighborhoods. In many cities, and particularly in St. Louis, these interrelated socio-economic conditions can usually be traced back to structural inequalities in city practices and patterns of u rban sprawl . These ongo ing s t ruc tu res o f discrimination force low-income communities and communities of color to bear the brunt of the physical and psychological effects of declining urban conditions.

Urban green spaces are unevenly distributed and access is extremely l imited near low-income neighborhoods populated by minorities, including recent immigrants. For example, in Los Angeles, white neighborhoods enjoy 31.8 acres of park space for every 1,000 people, compared with 1.7 acres in African-A m e r i c a n e i g h b o r h o o d s a n d 0 . 6 i n L a t i n o neighborhoods.

Community gardens play a role in neighborhood revitalization because they empower communities to create their own urban green spaces (often from abandoned or empty lots) and provide a wide variety of employment, education, and entrepreneurship opportunities. Community gardens also serve as excellent public spaces for youth and adults to interact, and generally help to increase neighborhood surveillance4.

Even if they arenʼt involved with the garden, they see us out here every day.

Anna Paulk, Americorps Urban Farm Specialist for the International Institute of St. Louis

Iʼm much more a neighbor person than a gardener.

Andy Cross, McPherson Community Garden Coordinator

4http://www.gardeningmatters.org/sites/default/files/Multiple%20Benefits_2012.pdf

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THE ISSUE: ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITYAccording to current estimates, the food production system accounts for nearly 1/3 of America’s total fossil fuel consumption. From the farm to the table, each step in our food system emits enormous amounts of greenhouse gas emissions; this includes fertilizer production and distribution, deforestation and other land use changes, industrial manufacturing, livestock methane emissions, food waste, food processing, and transportation (to name a few)5.

In addition, the heavy use of chemicals and fertilizers along with other intensive farming practices significantly decrease long term productivity and lead to potential health effects, including increased cancer risks and exposure to toxic heavy metals. Preservatives, additives, and high levels of fat and sugar in processed foods also contribute to high rates of obesity and diabetes6.

By directly connecting people to the source of their food, community gardening eliminates the middle steps from the food production system, which reduces waste and helps significantly lower a community’s carbon footprint. On a local scale, community gardening also encourages sustainable practices such as composting, rainwater collection, growing native plants, eating in season, and building from salvaged materials.

Education plays a key role as well; the cooperative nature of community gardening teaches people how to interact sustainably with both their local and global environments. This is especially important in youth education, where school gardens can serve as outdoor classrooms for children to not only learn where their food comes from but to also get hands on gardening experience.

THE ROLE OF COMMUNITY GARDENING

5http://www.gracelinks.org/982/energy-use-climate-change6http://www.turfprousa.com/health_effects_of_synthetic_fertilizer_3006a.html

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Located in Umrath (on the South 40) across from Bear's Den

Open Monday-Thursday, 6-10pm

Staffed by the Leadership Council and RAs

Weekly Meetings: Wednesday, 8pm in the SJC

• Students create and coordinate programs/events• Programs occur about once a month• Student-led discussions/facilitations occur monthly

during meetings

Bulletin Boards

• New topics monthly - chosen by members• Distributed to RAs and featured in every residential

building

Ever-Expanding Resource/Lending Library with:

• Books• DVD’s and VHS tapes (tape player also available for

check-out)• Magazines

WHAT SHOULD YOU KNOW ABOUT THE

SOCIAL JUSTICE CENTER?

Looking for ways to get involved?

Luckily for you, Saint Louis has HUNDREDS of community gardens.

Here are just a few suggestions for places to start...

STL HIGHLIGHTS

Urban Harvest is working on the FOOD ROOF project to build a rooftop community supported agriculture (CSA) farm in the heart of downtown. In December of 2012, the FOOD ROOF was the top voted project for Rally Saint Louis, a crowdsourcing and crowdfunding platform that allows residents to support new ideas. The project is currently in its fundraising stage, and is planning to launch in 2013.

Location: 1631 Dr. Martin Luther King Dr.

Urban Harvest STL is the city’s first downtown community garden. Since its start in 2011, it has grown from a handful of dedicated community members to a thriving non profit organization of nearly 30 urban farmers. In 2012 alone, the downtown garden produced 920 pounds of food, 182 of which were donated to charity. Its mission is to “promote a healthful downtown community and enrich lives through education and innovation in urban agriculture, green space and multicultural connectivity.”

FUTURE PLANS

WAYS TO GET INVOLVED

• Donate to FOOD ROOF @ http://www.rallystl.org/Ideas/Detail/172

• Attend a volunteer day• Propose an art installation for

the garden

URBAN HARVEST STL

CONTACT INFO

http://urbanharveststl.org/http://www.facebook.com/urbanharveststlhttps://twitter.com/UrbanHarvestSTL

Mary Ostafi, AIA, LEED-APFounding Director

http://www.organicgardening.com/sites/default/files/images/misc_soil2_300.jpg 7 8

SKINKER DEBALIVIERE COMMUNITY GARDENS

MCPHERSON COMMUNITY GARDEN

Location: 5941 McPherson, 63112

The McPherson Garden was started in 1996 by community leader Andy Cross and the Skinker DeBaliviere Community Council through a grant from Gateway Greening. The plot, which had been empty for over 30 years, now contains 55 raised beds made from reclaimed materials and supports nearly 60 gardeners each year. It was recently named a Gateway Greening Hub Garden, meaning that it is also able to distribute seeds, host educational workshops, and loan tools to other gardeners.

Like the McPherson Garden, the Block Unit 1035 Community Garden is closely tied to the Skinker Debaliviere Community Council. The garden has been around for approximately 12 years, and is owned by the Community Development Corporation (CDC). Located across the street from Hamilton Elementary and Lucier Park, the plot contains 28 raised beds, a composting station, and a small chicken coop.

WAYS TO GET INVOLVED

• Purchase a plot for $10/year• Donate to the 2013 Friends Campaign @

skinkerdebaliviere.wordpress.com/donate/

Contact Info:

McPherson Community GardenAndy Cross 314-721-6060

BLOCK UNIT 1035 GARDEN

Location: 5888 Westminster Place

Contact Info:

BU 1035 GardenMark Banaszak314.763.0965bu1035communitygarden@gmail.comsites.google.com/site/bu1035communitygarden/

FUTURE PLANS

In addition to continuing to provide canning and drying classes, the Skinker Debaliviere Community gardeners hope to expand companion classes on topics like intercropping and to collaborate with surrounding gardens during the fall season.

It becomes a small town.-Andy Cross

http://mymontys.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/Shovel-in-soil_lt.jpg

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MAPLEWOOD-RICHMOND HEIGHTS COMMUNITY GARDEN

Contact Info:

Mary Binns314-655-3662mbinns@richmondheights.org

Location: Lindbergh Park in Maplewood, at the end of Lindbergh Drive

FUTURE PLANSThis year, the MRH Garden hopes to yield enough produce to both provide for its members and donate to local food pantries. In addition, the garden is seeking an education grant to lead workshops and classes in the neighborhood.

The Maplewood-Richmond Heights Garden began in 2010 as a collaboration between small groups of community members of both neighborhoods and is supported by the Parks and Recreation Department, which provides land, resources, and water for the garden.

WAYS TO GET INVOLVED• purchase a plot for $20/year• volunteer

Master Gardener Mark Cockson and Garden Leader Mary Binns

LAFAYETTE SQUARE COMMUNITY GARDEN

Location: Park Ave. & Dolman St.

Previously a vacant lot, the Lafayette Community Garden has been a thriving part of the neighborhood for 15 years, with over 50 members each year. The Victorian-style garden serves both as an event space and a green space for community members of all ages to gather. In the past, residents have experimented with home-grown hops, marigold (for dyes), and even cotton. In addition to being a member of Gateway Greening, the garden is also a part of Operation Bright Side, the city’s oldest and most comprehensive not-for-profit cleaning and greening initiative.

FUTURE PLANSFuture plans for the garden include the implementation of educational initiatives as well as increased summer events and activities.

Contact Info:

http://lafayettesqr.com/communitygarden/default.aspxhttp://www.facebook.com/LafayetteSquareCommunityGarden?fref=tsLinda Weinerlinderweiner@gmail.com

Victorian mural painted by Andy Cross

Ways to Get Involved: • volunteer at regular work days• attend community events and fundraisers; past events have

included house tours, art sales, and gala dinner parties.

Photo: http://www.flickr.com/photos/87743206@N04/8053614949/sizes/h/in/photostream/ 11 12

Patrick Henry Downtown Academy School Garden

Location: 1220 N. 10th Street

Although the original Patrick Henry School Garden was established in 2010 through Gateway Greening, the garden was later expanded by Washington University students under the guidance of Sam Fox Professor Forrest Fulton. The garden is just one of a wide variety of green initiatives that were introduced to the curriculum which emphasize ecological sustainability, environmental health, and nutrition. Although garden involvement has only been incorporated into a handful of classes, most of the produce grown is distributed and eaten within the school.

FUTURE PLANSPreschool teacher Mihline Zahoran, who currently maintains the garden, says she hopes to encourage more teachers and students from older grades to participate in the program. She is also working closely with Wash U students Chris Halline and Mallika Tamboli to launch a 4-10 week summer gardening program that will focus on sustainable education, hands-on experience, and community engagement through the implementation of summer classes and a weekly farmer’s market.

WAYS TO GET INVOLVED• volunteer with the summer program!

CONTACT INFOChris Halline: chrishalline@gmail.comMallika Tamboli: mallikatamboli@gmail.comPatrick Henry Downtown Academy: 314-231-3720Mihline Zahoran

In the fall of 2012, Patrick Henry students harvested nearly 121 pounds of sweet potatoes in a 4 x 8 foot space, making them the winners of Gateway Greening’s annual Sweet Potato Challenge.

photo:http://www.flickr.com/photos/87743206@N04/8053620812/in/

Maplewood-Richmond Heights Seed to Table ProgramLocation: 2801 Oakland Ave

The Seed to Table program over at the Maplewood-Richmond Heights School District is a comprehensive educational initiative that focuses on teaching children to learn from the natural world around them. The program consists of four main components: organic gardening, animal care, cooking/nutrition, and animal stewardship. The Early Childhood Center alone features a barn (where live animals are kept 10-14 weeks of the year), a vegetable garden, an orchard, composting stations, herb and flower gardens, a chicken coop, and an indoor classroom for cooking and nutrition classes. The program is currently in its 6th year of operation, and is operated through the MRH school district. Although most of the produce is eaten right in the classroom, the rest is sold at a yearly farmer’s market or served at special school events.

FUTURE PLANSThis year, the Seed to Table program is hosting its first week long summer camp with the Early Childhood Center. Other plans include a district-wide farmer’s market and the expansion of family workshops focusing on composting, summer gardening, and herb planting.

Ways to Get Involved: • volunteer with the Early Childhood

Center, Elementary School or Middle School throughout the year

• volunteer to help with the summer camp

CONTACT INFOhttp://www.facebook.com/Seed2Tablehttp://www.mrhsd.org/gardens/index.html

Almut Marinoalmut.marino@mrhschools.net

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GLOBAL FARMS INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTE STL

Location: 1188 Hodiamont Ave. (about a mile N of the Delmar Loop)

The Global Farms Initiative is part of the International Institute of St. Louis, a refugee settlement agency that offers comprehensive adjustment services for refugees and immigrants including transitional housing, job training, English classes, and technical assistance. The North site, located at Hodiamont and Plymouth Ave.,

was originally installed with ra ised beds to a l low refugees living in nearby apartments to grow crops from their home countries. After being told that the residents did not want to “grow in boxes,” the raised

beds were later replaced with a large built-in beds to allow for more communal farming. The program is now in its third year of operations, and accepts 30-40 new farmers each year.

FUTURE PLANSRecently, the Global Farms Initiative received a grant from the USDA Farmerʼs Market Promotion Program to establish a market in the parking lot of an adjacent church, which regularly provides volunteers for the garden.

WAYS TO GET INVOLVED• look for volunteer and internship opportunities• purchase produce from the year-round City Greens Market• Refer eligible clients, refugees with a history in agriculture,

who are interested in continuing to farm

Contact Info: Anna PaulkAmericorps Urban Farm Specialist(314)772-9090, ext. 128

paulka@iistl.org

photo: http://www.flickr.com/photos/87743206@N04/8053620812/in/

photostream/

OLD NORTH ST LOUIS 13TH STREET GARDEN

Location: 2714 13th Street

The 13th Street Garden was started in 2007 by the Old North St. Louis Restoration Group as the first produce garden in the neighborhood. Like the McPherson Community Garden, it is a Gateway Greening Hub Garden and is able to lend out tools and provide resources throughout the year, including educational classes, handicap accessible garden beds, chicken keeping information, rainwater harvesting demonstrations and seed starting. Produce from the garden is either distributed to members, taken to the North City Farmerʼs Market, or sold at the Old North Grocery Co-Op.

FUTURE PLANS Because the garden is currently managed by volunteers, ONSLRG is hoping to eventually hire part time workers to expand existing educational programs and create more garden activities for children in the neighborhood.

WAYS TO GET INVOLVED• purchase produce from the North City Farmerʼs Market or

the Old North Grocery Co-Op• volunteer by emailing info@onsl.org• purchase a plot for $25/year

Contact Info: Claire WolffCommunity Engagement Specialistclaire@onsl.org

Matt FernandezCommunity Development Specialistmatt@onsl.org

Resident Luz Maria 15 16

JONES PARK COMMUNITY GARDENLocation: 2950 Argonne Drive (across from the metrolink)

Across the river, there is a growing community gardening movement in the city of East St. Louis. Five years ago, residents Betty, Kamina, and Jacob Loveless began working in the Jones Park greenhouse, which had previously been abandoned for over 25 years. Today, the greenhouse is once again open to the public for seedling planting, demonstration days, and other community events. The garden is currently maintained by Betty and Kamina Loveless and supported by various partners, including SIUE, the University of Illinois, and the YMCA. Together, these programs and individuals help ensure that the garden remains free of charge for all residents.

FUTURE PLANSFuture plans for the Jones Park garden include further engagement with the schools to host art shows, farmers markets, and on-site classes. In addition, the gardeners hope to connect with other community organizations such as ASD Advocate, Real Democracy Now STL, Food Not Bombs, and Especially Spread The Love.

WAYS TO GET INVOLVED• donate @ www.gofundme.com/Peaceloveand-gardening• volunteer • donate seeds or tools

CONTACT INFOKamina Loveless(618) 696-7006

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CITY SEEDS

Location: 2200 Pine Street (near Union Station)City Seeds Urban Farm is a 2.5-acre vegetable farm in downtown St. Louis. St. Patrick Center clients are mentored by Gateway Greening staff in horticulture while learning hands-on vegetable production and landscape maintenance. Since establishing the City Seeds Urban Farm in 2006, over 55,000 pounds of sustainably grown produce has been distributed.

Located between Market and Pine Streets at 22nd Street, City Seeds Urban Farm features 48 raised vegetable beds, native plants, a hawk platform, an educational native lawn, a rain garden, dwarf fruit tree orchard, ornamental shrub borders, drip irrigation, rainwater catch cistern, outdoor classroom, harvest station, composting bins, a greenhouse and three bee hives. Food grown at the farm is donated to nearby food pantries, sold at the Tower Grove Farmers Market and sold wholesale to Food Outreach, providing nutritional support for those living with HIV/AIDS and cancer. Corporate and individual volunteers often help tend the farm, allowing clients to practice leadership skills as they teach the volunteers about horticulture and food production.

RESOURCES AT www.gatewaygreening.org:-Information on the Therapeutic Horticulture Program serving clients homelessness, mental illness, chronic addiction and/or prison release.-Information on Go Green!, serving veterans and underemployed individuals with a 10week intensive on-the-job training in landscaping and horticulture.-Partners including St. Patrick Center, Food Outreach, Horstmann Brothers Landscaping, Operation Food Search & Missouri Department of Transportation

CONTACT INFOAndrea Mayrose, Urban Agriculture Managerandrea@gatewaygreening.org (314) 588-9600

photo http://www.flickr.com/photos/picken/6328407341/

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Gateway Greening Inc. (GGI) is a St. Louis non-‐profit founded in 1984 to increase sources of affordable fresh food for inner city residents while addressing the increasing number of vacant lots. Over the past 29 years, GGI has expanded its efforts to achieve its mission of educating and empowering people to improve their communities through gardening and urban agriculture. GGI’s programs rely on building partnerships to provide resources for citizen-‐managed open spaces in underserved neighborhoods and encourage better land use and healthier, safer communities. GGI programs are divided into four areas: Community Garden Program, Youth Garden Program, Urban Roots and City Seeds Urban Farm.

RESOURCES AT www.gatewaygreening.org-Community Garden Grant Applications-List of Support provided for Gardens (tool loan, seed distribution, workshops, etc.)-Map of all 220+ St. Louis Community and Youth Gardens-Hub Gardens: Larger neighborhood gardens that offer community education and material support-Partnership with St. Louis County Libraries-Volunteer and donor information

YOUTH PROGRAMSOur Youth Programs engage youth in sustainable food production and garden-based education to meet the diverse needs of schools in partnership with neighboring communities. Gateway Greening supports nearly 83 youth gardens and works directly with schools, after-school programs and daycare providers to help children plant, tend, and reap the rewards of their hard work. Students learn through hands-on outdoor educational actives and lessons, which can be found in nationally recognized gardening curricula.

RESOURCES AT www.gatewaygreening.org-Youth Garden Grants-Saturday workshops-Garden support-Free seeds and seedlings-Curriculum & Resources-Volunteer and donor information

URBAN ROOTSGateway Greening, in association with the St. Louis Master Gardeners, participates in Urban Roots, a beautification projects enhancing the downtown St. Louis urban landscape. Urban Roots’ mission is to engage and provide resources to volunteers from the gardening, educational, business, horticulture green industry and non-profit service communities to boost the St. Louis urban landscape, ultimately realizing an improved quality of life for those who reside, work and enjoy life in downtown St. Louis.

RESOURCES AT www.gatewaygreening.org-History-How to purchase the St. Louis Planter-Volunteer and donor information

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Being a community gardener can be incredibly rewarding, but it certainly isn’t easy. Here are some common challenges that many local gardeners face:

what’s the catch?

finding reliable, steady volunteers: many neighborhood gardens experience very quick turnovers, making long term changes difficult to implement

keeping gardeners active year-round: the unpredictability of the St. Louis climate coupled with the stifling summer heat can often have a dramatic effect on involvement with and access to community gardens

building a collaborative community: because most community gardens are composed of individual plots, creating and sustaining a collaborative working environment is a major concern for many gardeners

ongoing funding concerns: although many gardens are funded through grant organizations like Gateway Greening, gardeners who have little experience navigating these programs may find it much more difficult to seek out and acquire appropriate types of funding

soil issues: due to the fact that empty lots in the city often contain lead and other contaminants, there is a constant need for external sources of soil

lack of water: although public water lines are usually promised by city park districts, lack of communication can sometimes leave gardeners responsible for providing water at their own cost.

VEGETABLE GARDEN CALENDAR

guide from www.savvygardener.com/Features/veg_garden_calendar_printer_friendly.html

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is a student-run urban garden at Washington University in St. Louis that believes in sharing the joy of freshly picked vegetables with the world.

COME TO CAMP!

- jenny fung, camp director

know a potential camper? contact our camp leaders ~ Jenny, Alyssa, and Mara

phone: 314-874-2047email: campkumquat@gmail.com

website: www.campkumquat.blogspot.com

WANT TO GET INVOLVED?

Camp Kumquat is a food, environment, and farming summer day camp for St. Louis middle schoolers (rising 6th-8th graders) right on the Washington University campus. This camp features great speakers, activities, field trips, and hands-on learning that will have your student exploring exciting topics such as the chocolate-making process, how to grow tomatoes, or how to identify bugs.

Camp Kumquat has been really successful since its founding in 2009. We are offering 3 summer sessions and each lasts 2 weeks. Come get your hands dirty and join us for fun in the St. Louis sun this summer!

EMAIL US: theburningkumquat@gmail.com

VISIT OUR WEBSITE: theburningkumquat.com

MEETINGS: Wednesday evenings at 8:00

WORKDAYS: Times and dates vary, so be sure to join our mailing list!

We are located just east of the Alumni House, across the street from the Butterfly Garden, enter through the wire gates on the south side or through the wooden door on the north side.

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PARSNIP JINGLEby Hallie

If farming’s your jamThen let me give you a hand

Of veggies that rootThere is one that sure does hoot

Parsnips are persnicketyYou might call them finicky

But if it is with love you sowThen by golly, they will grow

A STORY AND A RECIPE FROM A SUMMER’S PAST BY HONEYDEW

On my last day working at Waseda Farms in Door County, WI last summer, there was a picnic for everyone who worked on the farm and their families. We took a hayride out to the edge of a forest lining one of the pastures, holding our potluck dishes on our laps as the trailer trudged through the mud and bumped up and down. Then, we ate great food, told stories, and walked up a hill to watch the sunset over a field where the cows were grazing with their babies.

It was so perfect, so picturesque, that I felt like I was in the closing montage of a feel-good movie. The dish that I brought to share that night was one featuring the mid-August garden harvest. That very day I had picked the cucumbers, fennel, green beans, and dill that I had planted in my first few weeks working on the farm. And the dish that combined these elements, a summer salad with crunchy vegetables, chewy pasta, herb, and lemon, was just one of the many gifts my garden gave me that summer.

ORZO, GREEN BEAN, AND FENNEL SALAD WITH DILL PESTOAdapted from the Bon Appétit Test Kitchen

INGREDIENTS:

8 oz. green beans, trimmed8 oz. orzo (1 1/4 cups)2/3 c. chopped fresh dill1/4 cup olive oil2 Tbsp white balsamic vinegar1 Tbsp fresh lemon juice2 c. 1/3-inch cubes unpeeled English hothouse cucumber3/4 cup diced fresh fennel bulb1/2 cup feta cheese (optional)1/4 cup toasted pine nuts (optional)

Cook green beans in a large saucepan of boiling salted water until just tender, about 5 minutes. Using slotted spoon, transfer beans to plate. Add orzo to same boiling water. Cook until tender, stirring occasionally; drain.

Blend dill, oil, vinegar, and lemon juice in mini processor until almost smooth. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

Cut beans crosswise into 1/2-inch pieces. Place in large bowl. Add orzo, cucumber, fennel, feta and pine nuts. Mix in dressing. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

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MAP GUIDE

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