With six years as a sustainable, working farm under its garden belt, The Abundant Table now will be tilling the soil at McGrath Family Farm in Camarillo. The faith-rooted, land-based nonprofit is moving this September from Santa Paula—where it spent the last three years.
Now on five acres along Highway 101, staff will grow about 40 varieties of vegetables that will be distributed through its CSA, sold to local school districts and donated through food banks and faith-based programs.
The move provides them more land to farm, and they can offer more field trip and learning opportunities for students and the community, says Sarah Nolan, director of programs and community partnerships.
The team has worked closely with Phil McGrath on the Ventura County Farm to School Collaborative and is excited to be mentored by him, an experienced and longtime organic farmer, says Nolan. While the organization has followed organic practices, it will now start the process of becoming certified.
As the dust settles on the move, Nolan looks ahead to 2016 and shares the organization’s goals:
• Resume the year-long young adult internship program, which has been on hiatus due to financial needs and the farm move.
• Increase the number of field trips they offer.
• Hold cooking and nutrition classes with local community organizations.
• Expand the number of local school districts that purchase produce, from two to four.
• Continue the CSA program and apply to accept SNAP (food stamps) benefits for the boxes and at their farm stands.
• Continue conversations with McGrath and others about piloting a food hub project that focuses on local schools and institutions.
The Abundant Table
888-707-6513; TheAbundantTable.org
