Meet a Volunteer - Emily!

As part of a regular column, we're conducting short interviews with our volunteers to help shareholders get to know the faces behind the table who make Coventry City Fresh work by donating their time and energy (and often some cash) to a cause they believe in.

 

What do you do with City Fresh?

I come around 4:45 to our stop.  If there is any counting of veggies left, I help with that, then when we open at 5, I man the tables.  Really, I socialize with the shareholders, talk about veggies, share recipes, and occasionally watch a straying child while their mom/dad picks up their veggies.  I also help explain what City Fresh is to people passing by who often think we are a farmer's market ("No, these veggies aren't for sale, but let me tell you how you can get some next week....").  At the end of the night, I help pack up a portion of our leftovers to deliver to the Heights Emergency Food Bank.

 

How long have you been a volunteer?

This will be my third year. 

 

Were you a shareholder before that? How long?

I was a shareholder at the old Whole Foods stop.  When that one didn't return, I came looking for my "fix" and found the Coventry stop.  I volunteered the first time I stopped by on a whim, and they haven't been able to get rid of me since.

 

What keeps you coming back year after year?

City Fresh gets you spoiled!  Once you know how veggies are supposed to taste, supermarket ones just don't make the cut.  Around December every year, I find myself craving fresh greens and a good tomato.  I also save a lot of money during the season when I am not going to the grocery store as often.  All those impulse buys disappear when my fridge is stocked with produce.

I also really believe in City Fresh's mission.  Everyone should know where their food comes from- and while City Fresh stops aren't the farm, they are many steps closer than the grocery store.  I love watching parents teaching their young children names of the veggies each week and letting them help pick out their share.  You can tell what kids are "City Fresh kids" when they run right up and know what a kohlrabi is!

 

What’s your day job?

I work at the Cleveland Clinic Center for Autism as a behavior therapist.  I have worked there for nearly 7 years now.  I am a job coach for young adults and help them learn the skills they need to be hired after graduation. 

 

What’s your favorite vegetable?

I love Swiss chard.  I could eat it with every meal.

 

Got a recipe to share?

I love to cook, but I am really bad at following recipes.  I usually just take recipes as ideas and starting points- which can be frustrating to some when they want a recipe!  Here is one of my favorite City Fresh meals that takes about 5 minutes to throw together (I am sorry but it is not very precise, and I have no idea where the initial inspiration came from!):

 

Swiss Chard Egg Skillet:

Ingredients:

1/2 Onion

Swiss Chard

Potatoes

Eggs

 

Instructions:

Dice 1/2 an onion

Thinly slice a couple small potatoes

Take a bunch of Swiss chard, stems and all and roughly chop

 

Sauté onion and potatoes in a skillet until soft

Season with salt, pepper and a dash of sriracha or hot sauce

Add Swiss chard and cover with lid

 

When chard is wilted and soft, crack 2-3 eggs on top.  Turn temperature to medium low.  Cover and let eggs poach.

Cook eggs to desired doneness. 

Serve with toast or crusty bread.