Green Patch Groups for 2010

Each fall, Linden Hills Co-op members vote for two Green Patch groups—area nonprofits with a “green” mission. When shoppers use cloth or canvas tote bags they earn a “Green Patch,” worth five cents, which they can drop in a donation box or save up until they can get a dollar back for 20 patches. Last year, our Green Patch donations totaled more than $3,000—a significant sum for small local nonprofit organizations, without writing a grant application or mailing a solicitation letter.

Here are the groups chosen to receive our 2010 Green Patch donations; the top two vote-getters in our fall election will each receive half the money donated by shoppers who use reusable bags.

Midwest Food Connection
www.midwestfoodconnection.org
Midwest Food Connection (MFC) envisions a society in which all people can improve their quality of life by consuming healthful foods and supporting a local economy of sustainable food producers. MFC contributes to this vision by empowering elementary school children to make healthy and responsible food choices. MFC offers three seasonal sets of lessons, free of charge, to children in local elementary schools, arranges for farm field trips, and other hands-on experiences that focus on healthy food. MFC reaches and teaches our community’s youngest consumers about the methods and benefits of sustainable agriculture. This year, MFC has received grant money to build a coalition around kids and healthy food, as well as funds to reach out to a more diverse student population.

Youth Farm & Market Project
www.youthfarm.net
Youth Farm & Market Project (YFMP) provides year-round youth development programming for youths ages 9-18, utilizing experiential education and training, urban agriculture, gardens and green houses. We build youth leadership through planting, growing, preparing and selling food. YFMP currently works in 3 neighborhoods in the Twin Cities: Lyndale and Powderhorn in Minneapolis and the West Side of St. Paul. YFMP works with over 500 youth throughout the year.