Allen Neighborhood Center

Project Description

Come join Spartan Food Secuity Council (SPSC) at Allen Neighborhood Center (ANC) on April 3, 2024. SFSC's mission is to achieve greater food security on campus and in the greater Lansing area by means of advocacy, education, and service. We are joining ANC to help them prepare for their summer Tomato Festival. 

One of the strategies that ANC has implemented to celebrate different fruits and veggies is to have themed Farmers Markets that celebrate the different produce that's in season. It serves as a helpful reminder of what's in season locally (for those who want to buy local), and makes education around that specific festival much less lecture-y and more fun. This year, they'll have festivals featuring strawberries, pumpkins, apples, tomatoes, and probably others.

For the tomato festival specifically, they're looking to have a fun way of celebrating a super versatile fruit/vegetable (yes it is both) by highlighting its many uses and joys. For example, they're looking to have a "travel around the world with a tomato" tasting station for people to learn about many different preparations, and are hoping to highlight the many diverse communities in their neighborhood. Specifically, they would likely highlight Afghani, Mexican, and Ethiopian preparations, since there is a high population of those communities in their neighborhood. They are also hoping have some kind of recipe card next to each station that people could take and try for themselves (with ingredients they could buy from the local grocery store). 

In short, fun and educational is the hope! Part of the fun is (hopefully) really decking out their space with all sorts of really fun and cute tomato themed decorations and crafts, but they just don't have the staff to really accomplish that on their own, so they would love support in making their space warm and welcoming, and of course on theme. A major part of accessibility is making the area fun and enjoyable to be in.

Community Partner - Allen Neighborhood Center

About Allen Neighborhood Center

Allen Neighborhood Center (ANC) serves as a dynamic hub where Lansing Eastside neighbors access resources to improve their health and well-being; expand their capacity to seize job and entrepreneurial opportunities; create a strong sense of place, belonging, and community pride; and build a safe, sustainable, and thriving neighborhood. 

Website: https://allenneighborhoodcenter.org