Help us out at Snallygaster!

Arcadia is looking for help at Snallygaster, an enormous celebration of craft beer! The event is on Saturday, October 13 from 1-5pm at The Yards Park (located at 3rd and Water St. SE) and feature the finest beer and food from the Neighborhood Restaurant Group. All the proceeds will benefit Arcadia.

We need your help! We're looking for volunteers to help out at the kid's tent and the admission tent. BONUS! All volunteers receive an awesome Snallygaster t-shirt. Plus, it will be Farmer Mo's last day with Arcadia, so help send her out!

If you are interested, email volunteer@arcadiafood.org and let us know:

• TIME you would like to volunteer (9-1, 1-6 or ALL DAY) and
  
• which station you are interested in (Tickets or Kids Area).
  

It's going to be awesome! Hope to see you there. Can't make it to the event, but want to support Arcadia? Head to our website for more information.

Eat Dinner at Chipotle and Support Arcadia - Monday, July 16th, 5PM to 8PM

On Monday, July 16th from 5PM to 8PM, all Metro-area Chipotle Mexican Grill locations will host a fundraiser to support Arcadia's programs. As part of Chipotle's "Cause an Effect" campaign, half of all proceeds (up to $15,000) will be donated to Arcadia when customers mention the fundraiser. Please support Arcadia by going out for dinner at Chipotle, and don't forget to mention the Arcadia fundraiser!  

Find your nearest Chipotle location.  

Meet Matt: Arcadia's Director of Development & Communications

Wow, we've got a lot of new staff coming on board to launch us into the spring season!  Meet Matt Mulder, Arcadia's new Director of Development and Communications.  Matt's job is to generate a sustainable fundraising strategy for Arcadia, and make sure our communications with all stakeholders are clear, consistent, and connected to our mission.  We're so excited to have him on board!

Matt, what past experiences prepared you for this position?
Almost every job I’ve ever had has involved children, education, history, the environment, or agriculture. Most recently, I directed the Accokeek Foundation's Center for Agricultural and Environmental Stewardship.  I’ve spent the last year working on issues of agriculture and food justice, and I look forward to continuing that work by supporting and enhancing Arcadia’s excellent programs.

What’s your favorite healthy recipe?
I’m really into Crispy Kale right now. Toss a big bowl of organic kale greens with 1 TBSP olive oil. Sprinkle lightly with salt or other favorite spices. Crisp on a backing rack set on a sheet pan in an oven at 250 degrees for 20-25 minutes. For more fun, use Lanceolate (or Dinosaur) Kale.

If you were a vegetable, what would you be?
Trombocino Squash. I played the trombone throughout much of my life. Its also a very versatile squash - its a great summer squash and can be hardened and used as a winter squash that can store well.

What about this position are you most excited for?
I’m excited about the opportunity to work with an energetic, enthusiastic, knowledgeable staff that can accomplish great things if they have adequate resources and enough support.

What do you see as your next steps - what do you plan to tackle first?
I am spending my time developing a comprehensive fundraising plan for Arcadia. I also want to make sure we are spreading the word about all of the exciting initiatives that are starting this spring – full operation of the Mobile Market, the Arcadia Farm stand at Woodlawn, Arcadia Farm Camp, and the all of the other exciting upcoming programs and events.

What’s your favorite season for growing produce and why?
I love late spring/early summer in this area. The weather is nice, the days are long, and with some of the early season fruits and veggies starting to ripen, you begin to see that the bounty of summer harvests is not too far away.





Thanks Matt, we're excited to have you on board!

One Amazing Evening - the Vices that Made Virginia

On Saturday November 5, a crowd of nearly 700 guests gathered on the grounds of the Historic Woodlawn estate in Alexandria, VA, home of Arcadia's two acre sustainable farm and educational hub.  The occasion?  The Vices That Made Virginia, our biggest fundraiser of the year to benefit Arcadia and Woodlawn, a National Historic Trust Site.  The monies raised on this unforgettable night will fund the continued growth of our farm, educational programming, and the launch of our Mobile Market.  We sincerely thank the guests and generous local sponsors who came to support us!

Woodlawn looked magical as the sun set over the crisp, fall evening, and spotlights lit up the estate and grounds.  Local chefs and artisans prepared a spread of the season's finest meats, cheeses, oysters, vegetables and other prepared dishes.  After the guests sampled the evening's finest foods and featured wines, whiskeys and beers, they could listen to the bluegrass music, take a snapshot the photo-booth, or watch a cigar-rolling demonstration.  The air was full of laughter, great tunes, and merriment.

Arcadia's Mobile Market made its debut at Vices.  The awesome, bright green school bus attracted guests who stopped by to pay a visit with the team and learn more about the program - even take a tour.  Fully stocked with fresh produce from local farms, it was a sight to see.  We can't wait to get it on the road!

Many thanks to all of the volunteers, staff, partners, sponsors and attendees who made the event a huge success.  Be sure to sign up for our mailing list to be the first to hear about upcoming events and other Arcadia news!
Photo credits: Samer Farha

Chipotle's going local with Arcadia!

We love good burritos here at Arcadia.  But that's not the only reason why we love the popular restaurant Chipotle Mexican Grill.  We've established a wonderful relationship with Chipotle, an organization with a dedication to "Food With Integrity" similar to our own.  Yes, it does includes free burritos (for our volunteers and special events).  But it goes so much farther than that!

Earlier this fall, Chipotle sponsored a DC-area wide fundraiser for Arcadia.  They donated half of all proceeds from burritos sold the evening of September 14th to Arcadia's farm to school programs - a whopping $15,000!  With these funds, we'll be able to expand Arcadia's farm field trips in the spring, and get our Mobile Market out to schools (complete with chef demonstrations and mock-farmers' market activities).

Chipotle also coordinated guacamole demos and film screenings "What's On Your Plate" in four schools during D.C. Farm to School Week in October.  They reached over 400 DC students and families with hand-on food education and community engagement around the issues of nutrition and sustainability. 

I already mentioned the awesome food - our volunteers on the farm take home "burrito bucks" after a hard day's work.  And for our events and activities, you can count on some delicious carnitas tacos or our favorite - the veggie burrito.  And while you're at the farm, check out the Chipotle Salsa Garden - complete with tomatoes, peppers, cilantro, garlic and onions.

Most recently, Chipotle was a top sponsor at the Vices that Made Virginia event, our rollicking fundraiser on the farm on November 6th (recap to come).  They hit the Estate sponsorship level of $5,000, again showing their strong support for Arcadia's mission and programs.

Chipotle, we can't thank you enough.  Your staff are incredible, your hearts are generous, and your values align so closely with Arcadia's own.  We're so excited to continue working with you as our programs grow and flourish! 

Weds. Sept. 14th - eat Chipotle from 5:30-7:30, support Arcadia!

Chipotle, the popular burrito restaurant chain is holding a fundraiser for Arcadia on Wednesday, September 14 from 5:30 to 7:30 pm. That evening, 50% of all sales at all metro-Washington, DC Chipotle restaurants, up to $15,000, will be donated to Arcadia for its D.C. Farm to School Network. Funding will primarily support the upcoming D.C. Farm to School Week October 3-7, 2011, when schools across the District will feature seasonal, local food in their school meals and coordinate hands-on farm-to-table experiences for students.

We're excited to work with Chipotle because they are genuinely excited about our programs to connect youth with where food comes from, and they show similar organizational support for growing the local, sustainable food economy.  Chipotle's Food With Integrity philosophy aligns with our own - to improve the link between the farm and the plate to create healthier communities.  And we value Chipotle's commitment to being involved in more ways than just fundraising - our kids love the ‘Chipotle Salsa Garden’ out at the farm and guacamole chef demos at school, and our farm volunteers get to take home ‘burrito bucks’ in return for their hard work! 

So get your Chipotle fix Wednesday September, 14th from 5:30-7:30pm in any DC-area Chipotle store, and know that you're supporting a good cause!

Happy Hour Fundraiser Friday for Arcadia's D.C. Farm to School Network!

What better to do this Friday night than to enjoy drink specials, music, and merriment at the Blue Banana in Petworth?   For no cover, join us for a fun night out, and all tips and donations will go to Arcadia's D.C. Farm to School Network.  Weather permitting, we'll even plant seedlings for D.C. Farm to School Week and D.C. School Garden Week on the back porch!

When: Friday Sept. 9th, starting at 6:30pm
Where: The Blue Banana, 3632 Georgia Ave. NW
What: Drinks and fun - tips and donations go towards D.C. Farm to School Week

More information at http://t.co/IcHiWk9

Donate now to get our food bus on the road!

While Farmer Mo's been nurturing baby seedlings in greenhouses around town and getting our property at Woodlawn ready for spring planting, I've been running around the city with a flipcam these past few weeks.... With the help of a dedicated group of cinematic wonderwomen, we've managed to pull together one of the most fun 2-minute videos ever. Behold, our Kickstarter campaign video:

Spread the word, eh? I think we can definitely raise well over the $15,000 goal we've set. The sky's the limit, I say!

(Though if this thing goes viral on YouTube I'm going to kick myself for not wearing any make-up that day. I mean, seriously, couldn't SOMEONE have suggested I put on a little lipstick? And my hair. Oh man. My mother is probably shaking her head right now. Actually, Eminem is probably shaking his head, too.)

C'mon, can you think of a better cause than a school bus that brings healthy food around the District? Click here to donate.

If you're in the city tomorrow, come meet the Arcadia team in person during our happy hour event at Churchkey: a donation of $25 or more earns you a complimentary beer. Not that you're in it for the beer. No, you're in it for the free t-shirt. Um, I mean because it's a good cause.