Donation brings fresh food to Kate's Kitchen and supports local farms

Date: 8/12/2009

By Lori Szepelak

Correspondent



HOLYOKE -- Granby resident Marie Babbitt believes in supporting local organic efforts -- not only for her benefit but for others across the region.

Babbitt, a soft-spoken woman with a big heart, recently purchased four Community Involved in Sustaining Agriculture (CISA) shares through the Red Fire Farm for Providence Ministries for the Needy (PMN). Her gift increases the nutritious offerings that Bill Bullard, kitchen manager, will be able to offer daily at Kate's Kitchen on Hamilton Street.

Kate's Kitchen currently serves a daily noon meal to more than 240 men, women and children in the city, according to Christine Burns, development/special projects coordinator, PMN.

Babbitt explained during an interview with Reminder Publications at PMN, that it was her mother, Shirley Babbitt of South Hadley, who first planted the idea of giving to Kate's Kitchen.

"I'm also happy to be able to support my local organic farmer," Babbitt said, noting she has been a patron of Red Fire Farm in Granby since she relocated to the area from Canaan, N.Y., more than two years ago.

Babbitt, an electrical designer with Robert Hall Consulting Engineers in Agawam, has always loved gardening but finds her time is limited and relishes the opportunity to support a local farm so she can pursue other interests.

"I saw a need in the community and I wanted to help," Babbitt said.

Each week, a staff member of PMN makes a visit to the Red Fire Farm to pick up the food that is allotted from the CISA shares.

"It is an ongoing gift that we receive once a week," Burns said, adding, "it allows us to serve fresh, healthy seasonal vegetables."

Burns thanked Babbitt for her generosity, which will include fruits and vegetables through the fall season.

"The donation is appreciated by more people than you know," Burns said.

Burns explained that serving fresh fruits and vegetables at Kate's Kitchen is always a welcome addition to the community kitchen.

"The meal that a guest eats at Kate's Kitchen at noon may be the only meal that they eat that day," Burns said. "It is important to us to be able to serve the freshest, healthiest meal possible."

Babbitt added that with all the opportunities she has been given in her life, she feels a responsibility to help others whenever she can.

"Each share typically feeds two to four people, so you see there is more that can be done," she said.

For more information on CISA shares, visit www.buylocalfood.org.