An initiative focused on bringing access to fresh produce to every Minneapolis neighborhood is hosting a series of free cooking classes the last Thursday of the month through October.

Edible Boulevards is a currently running a pilot program in the city’s Green Zone neighborhoods in which participants grow food on their boulevards and share the fruit with one another. Minneapolis ordinance doesn’t allow community members to grow food on our boulevards. Participant sites are tested for lead since Green Zone neighborhoods typically experience higher levels of lead in their children’s blood.

Waite Park is not a Green Zone neighborhood, but residents are welcome to attend its cooking classes, which aim to use the harvest from your gardens to create simple and delicious summer and autumn recipes. You’ll learn about the nutrition of the foods used in the recipes each month, and also be able to make that evening’s meal for you and your family.

Appetite for Change will lead the August class, and Kelly Shay from Harmonious World will lead the September and October sessions, which will run form 5:00-6:30 on the last Thursday of the month:

Thursday, August 26 with Appetite for Change: TBD
Thursday, September 30 with Kelly Shay: Vegetable Basil Stir-fry w/ Quinoa and a Side Salad
Thursday, October 28 with Kelly Shay: Cozy Autumn Lentil Stew

Check out the Minneapolis Edible Boulevards Facebook page for recipes and ingredients list. Zoom info below:

Topic: Cooking Class with Appetite for Change
Time: Aug 26, 2021 05:00 PM Central Time (US and Canada)
Aug 26, 2021 05:00-6:30 PM
Sep 30, 2021 05:00-6:30 PM
Oct 28, 2021 05:00-6:30 PM

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

—Michelle Shaw, Edible Boulevards