Episode 2.32 - Interview with Feed Iowa First

08/04/23 • 21 min

Have you heard of “Grow Don’t Mow”?

Have you been to your local farmers market lately? You should consider it!

I recently visited with Emmaly, Executive Director of Feed Iowa First. We talked about how buying local, like at your farmers markets, helps support their cause!
You can watch the full interview here on our YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/wiX2PUWNpi4

"Join our over 20 urban growing partners and turn the open land around your business, faith-based organization or school into productive farmland. Feed Iowa First wants to work with you! If you’re a private or commercial farmer, you can dedicate a portion of your existing farmland to grow fresh produce."

In 2017, Feed Iowa First donated over 38,000 lbs of fresh produce to pantries across Linn County. Feed Iowa First also helps support beginning farmers through training and investments that ensure the next generation of farmers and food production.

Their mission: “To combat food insecurity by growing food and farmers.”

“We believe health equity begins with food access; we work to meet the food needs of our community, simultaneously reducing waste by growing what is needed and wanted. We distribute more than 45,000 lbs. of fresh produce to economically disadvantaged households, immigrant and refugee families, and anyone in need through partnerships with local food pantries, health clinics, community fridges, and low-income apartments. Our model ensures households have consistent access to fresh and culturally appropriate produce to support nutrition security.“

https://www.feediowa1st.com/
#italiancooking #italianfood #letsgetcooking #cookingclass #foodblogger #foodie #foodlover #giasitaliankitchen #familybusiness #womenownedbusiness #letsgetcookingwithgia #cookingwithgia #cookbook #feediowafirst #farmersmarket

Visit our YouTube channel to see dozens of our cooking episodes.
Check out our website for delicious recipes, upcoming events, and more!

Have you heard of “Grow Don’t Mow”?

Have you been to your local farmers market lately? You should consider it!

Their mission: “To combat food insecurity by growing food and farmers.”

Visit our YouTube channel to see dozens of our cooking episodes.
Check out our website for delicious recipes, upcoming events, and more!

Previous Episode

Episode 2.31 - What's going on with GIK in 2023

Thought I would make an update on what Gia's Italian Kitchen is doing this year!
We have so many exciting events, and I want to share!

I am writing two cookbooks!!!! This is so exciting for you and for me! The first one is a "My First Apartment" cookbook, with easy and inexpensive recipes, that will be available online only, thru my website. The second one is a Cookbook/Memoir, with ALL of my grandmother's recipes and those from GIK in the past few years. I am hoping to launch this in 2024.
The Brick Kitchen where we hold in-person cooking classes
The Marion Library where we hold in-person cooking classes

Find out more on our website: https://giasitaliankitchen.biz
Register for classes at The Brick Kitchen
Register for classes at The Marion Library
#italiancooking #italianfood #letsgetcooking #cookingclass #foodblogger #foodie #foodlover #giasitaliankitchen #familybusiness #womenownedbusiness #letsgetcookingwithgia #cookingwithgia #cookbook

Visit our YouTube channel to see dozens of our cooking episodes.
Check out our website for delicious recipes, upcoming events, and more!

Next Episode

Episode 2.33 - Making homemade pasta!

Ever tried to make homemade pasta? I can show you how easy it actually is!
Watch us make it here:
https://youtu.be/piKkVEvKFkU
BTW, I JUST LAUNCHED MY FIRST COOKBOOK!
Check it out and spread the word!
Make the dough. Either by hand or in a large Cuisinart, add the 1 cup flour and 2 eggs. In the Cuisinart, a dough ball will form when it’s done. If doing it by hand, make a little volcano with the flour, then add the eggs in the middle. With a fork, beat the eggs, then slowly begin to incorporate a little bit of the flour, going in circles around the volcano until all the flour is mixed. When you push one finger into the dough, it should bounce back, but not be sticky. If it is too sticky, add a dusting of flour and mix again.
Roll the pasta. Cut a piece of the dough, about 1/4 of dough ball, covering the remainder with a damp kitchen cloth. Either roll out the dough or use a pasta roller. When using the pasta roller, add a little bit of flour, crank, then put the setting on the widest one, usually #0 on the machine. Take the piece of dough and shape it into a small rectangle with your hands, then add a light dusting of flour to the outside. Roll the dough through the pasta roller, catching it underneath. Change the pasta roller to the next setting, add another light dusting of flour to the dough, then run through the roller. Repeat to level 5, then check the pasta. If it is starting to tear at all or is a bit see-through, you are done. We only go to the 5th or 6th level (of 7 on my machine).
Finish the pasta. If you are cutting the pasta with the pasta roller attachment, do that immediately following the rolling of the dough. Hang on a pasta drying rack while you continue with the rest of the dough. To cut by hand, fold the dough and thinly slice with a serrated dinner knife. With your hands, gently loosen the pasta so they don’t stick together. They can rest on the countertop, or back on the drying rack.
Cook the pasta. When the water has come to a rolling boil, add the pasta a little bit at a time. Gently stir. Fresh pasta only needs about 3 minutes to boil. Strain but reserve a little of the pasta water. Return to the stockpot and toss with the EVOO, Italian seasoning, and 1/4 cup of the pasta water, to make the perfect sauce. Warm on low for 1-2 minutes. Season with fresh ground black pepper, Pecorino Romano cheese, and fresh cut parsley. Mangia!
#italiancooking #italianfood #letsgetcooking #cookingclass #foodblogger #foodie #giasitaliankitchen #letsgetcookingwithgia #cookingwithgia #cookbook