Fourth Avenue United Methodist

Churches tend to body as well as soul Both provide fresh produce 

By Sheryl Edelen • sedelen@courier-journal.com • September 2, 2009

Fourth Avenue United Methodist in Old Louisville and West Chestnut Street Baptist in Russell are now part of Louisville's Fresh Stop initiative, an effort that allows families to pre-pay for fresh fruits and vegetables at churches and community centers close to home.

Coordinators at the two churches, in turn, use the money to buy the produce from local and regional farmers. Participants then return the following week and fill their orders, which include six to eight different kinds of available fruits and vegetables. The selection varies, depending on what's in-season.

It's a win-win situation for everyone, said Karyn Moskowitz, a former employee of the Community Farm Alliance who helped Fourth Avenue United Methodist organize its effort, which began in June.

She has since branched off on her own to helped start the West Chestnut operation under the banner of New Roots, a non-profit organization that works to develop a just and sustainable food system in the Ohio Valley.

"The Fresh Stop Project makes it very affordable to purchase local food, something previously seen as outside the budgets of limited-income families, or people on fixed incomes," Moskowitz said. "The project brings a lot of joy to the church and the community; it is all positive."

Lindsey Christensen, the coordinator of the effort at Fourth Avenue, said visitors have been surprised at how much food they get for what they spend.

Weekly shares, or portions, at Fourth Avenue range from $10 to $20; the $10 portion can feed one to two people for a week, while the more expensive portion feeds three to four. At West Chestnut, the amount ranges from $12 to $24 per share. Both sites offer a 50 percent discount to families with limited incomes.

After all the orders have been filled, both sites either sell or give away any leftover produce to neighborhood residents or passers-by.

Rustie Eaton and Carolyn Justice, residents of the J.O. Blanton House on Eighth Street, were appreciative during an Aug. 8 visit to the Fourth Avenue site.

"We were passing by and decided to check it out," Eaton said. "I was really impressed with the cantaloupe and watermelon."

First time shopper Catherine Bell received help from Al Mortenson, one of the market organizers. Fourth Avenue United Methodist Church put on a food market on their campus.

Nita Burke of Old Louisville agreed. While she didn't have any money to donate that day, she said she could see herself participating.

"I can take this to my mother," Burke said as she was handed a bag of produce. "I could swing a couple of dollars for this. " Kroger is a little high. This helps a lot."

Judith Kelly, coordinator of the West Chestnut effort, which began in June, said there are scores of people in Russell hungry for what the program offers a chance to eat healthier.

"Nutrition-wise, we're trying to make people aware that they should have foods that are freshly grown," Kelly said. "We're rendering a service."

Fourth Avenue receives most of its produce at a discounted price from Misty Meadows, a family-owned farm in Payneville, Ky., and the rest from Amish and Mennonite farmers. To offset the discount, volunteers help work at Misty Meadows one day a week. West Chestnut buys its produce from Amish farmers at auctions in Hart County, Ky., and Daviess County, Ind., and from Louisville farmers.

Both churches need volunteers and donations for their operations. Moskowitz also wants to expand the Fresh Stop effort to other churches or community centers.

Christensen said the Fresh Stop operation goes along with Fourth Avenue's outreach efforts.

"We saw a need," she said. "It's been a great solution that's just taken some hard work."

Reporter Sheryl Edelen can be reached at (502) 582-4621.