Press
“Rethinking School Lunch” December 15, 2011 Life, Liberty & the Pursuit of Fresh Food
School lunches in D.C. are getting a makeover. Think chefs cooking from scratch with herbs; rows of lettuce and berry bushes growing in a school farm; and kids telling their parents about the nutritional benefits of fresh food.
Compared to the rest of the country, “D.C. is a shining example of what a school district can do to make the food better,” said Ed Bruske, a food blogger and a parent of a DCPS student.
“Educators Show Off Nature’s Classroom During D.C. Garden Tour” October 1, 2011 The Washington Post
As she waited to interview for the principal’s job at Center City’s Trinidad charter school, Evie Wiseman noticed the raised beds outside the school’s doors, which held herbs and blooming vegetables. The touch of nature impressed Wiseman, who thought it was a good sign for the city school she hoped to lead. Wiseman got the job. At the helm, she has supported the school’s two gardens, which she showed off Saturday during the annual D.C. Schoolyard Greening tour. “It’s the perfect metaphor for what we do here. We grow plants, and we’re also growing minds and creating scholars,” Wiseman said. “The garden is bright, and that reflects our student body and our school.”
“Harvesting Farmers’ Markets” July 5, 2011 Georgetown.Patch.com
As the localized food movement picks up steam, city dwellers have to get creative in order to jump on board. Luckily, the D.C. region is fairly ahead of the curve when it comes to one component that provides fresh, local produce – the farmers’ market. These markets are so prolific both inside and just outside the district that even tiny Georgetown has two of its own – the Georgetown Farmers Market and the Glover Park-Burleith Farmers’ Market.
“THE 3-MINUTE INTERVIEW: Lauren Shweder Biel” May 5, 2011 Washington Examiner
Biel is executive director of D.C. Greens, a nonprofit that manages the Glover Park-Burleith Farmers’ Market. The market, located in the Hardy Middle School parking lot on Wisconsin Avenue, opens this weekend. It runs from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. every Saturday. Proceeds go to school garden programs in the District.
Following the Organic Wave, Stoddert Elementary Plants its Garden” March 20, 2011 Georgetown.Patch.com
When volunteers arrived at 10 a.m. Saturday morning, they gathered around a barren 4,000 square foot patch of land bordered by a wooden fence. By early afternoon the students, parents and teachers of Stoddert Elementary completely transformed the space, building the school’s first educational garden. “This is so exciting for us,” said Sarah Bernardi, a board member of DC Greens, the nonprofit that funded the project and provided much of its logistical support. “After a year of planning, it’s amazing to see it finally coming together.”
“Families Turn Out For A School Garden Raising” March 20, 2011 The Slow Cook
Months of planning resulted in a new garden at my daughter’s elementary school yesterday as parents, teachers and kids all pitched in to dig beds, haul compost and spread wood chips. The masterminds behind construction of the Stoddert Elmentary School garden in Glover Park are two women who live in the neighborhood–Lauren Biel and Sarah Bernardi–who just happen to be passionate about school gardens.
“Glover Park Burleith Farmers’ Market Near The Top In A National Contest” July 19, 2010 The Georgetown Dish
Only in its second year, the Glover Park-Burleith Farmer’s Market is a front runner to win the title of “America’s Favorite Farmer’s Market” from the American Farmland Trust. The local favorite, which is competing in the small market category, currently has 233 votes, putting it behind only two farmer’s markets in its category.
“Faces of the Farm” July 14, 2010 The Georgetowner
It’s worth the trip up Wisconsin to this Georgetown newcomer, just two years old but already ahead of the pack in its community outreach efforts, not to mention its role as a hub for Georgetown, Glover Park and Burleith neighbors out for a Saturday stroll with family, friends or the pooch. Executive Director Lauren Biel and team, who manage the market through a non-profit known as D.C. Greens, have worked overtime to make the market an engaging community center, bringing in bluegrass musicians, jugglers and even a road bike technician.
