Archives: LES GIRLS CLUB "G.A.L.A." FARMERS MARKET PROJECT
August 21, 2003
August 20, 2003
ROSELEEN GETS THE SHOT!
Rain or shine...the job must get done! Here, Roseleen composes her photographs under the safety of an umbrella, being careful to keep the digital camera dry. The photos that the girls have been taking will be seen in the next "Girls Out Loud" environmental issue.
STORM IS COMING!
Brian continues the tour of his farm inspite of the ominous clouds brewing. I guess one has to be tough out here in the country. We all know that soon we will be soaked!
BEATRICE GETS THE SHOT!
Beatrice begins photographing Brian's lovely tomato plants with the digital Olympus 5.0 megapixel camera donated by world renown photojournalist, Susan Meiselas.
RENEE GETS THE INTERVIEW!
Brian agrees to be interviewed by the very persuasive Renee, for our newspaper, "Girls Out Loud". This next issue covers the enviorment. Call for your copy!
LOOK CLOSELY AT THIS!
Brian gave us lots of information about tomatoes and answered all questions.
We were very engaged.
I LOVE MY FARM!
Brian proudly showed us around his many vegetable fields. We had to keep up with his fast pace!
BOYFRIEND
This is Brian, owner of the Brian-Gajeski Produce/Family Farm in Long Island.
He is holding up a Tshirt that says "NOVIO" which means boyfriend in Spanish.
He welcomed us warmly and gave us a tour of his family farm.
August 12, 2003
The Two of Us
Here’s a picture of me and Lisette showing off Puerto Rican pride in front of the farmers market mural painted by the famous CHICO!
"Honey Bun" the Dog
Here’s a picture of "Honey" the girls club dog.
photographer Letasha
HIP HOP FRUIT & VEGGIE VIDEO!!!
Here’s Nancy and Lisette looking at our public service video announcement.
photographer Letasha
Fashion Expert
Here’s one of our fashion experts Roseleen modeling some of her newest fashion.
LOOK AT THOSE EYES!
Here’s a picture of my eyes. Aren’t they cool! I took this self portrait at the Farmers Market.
August 09, 2003
Through the Window
I framed this photo of Jessica holding a baby chick through a window at Quail Hill Farm.
photo by Renee
Find Paloma
I was looking for unusual ways to frame my photographs. That's Paloma through the trees.
photographer Rene
Eeco Farm
We visited Eeco farm on Long Island.
photographer Valerie
EECO FARM (East End Community Organic Farm) by Jennifer
Suggs
The EECO farm also has a close relation with the Ross School. This is a new farm with an innovative approach to community farming! The farm rents 42 acres from the town of East Hampton, which is then parceled out to town residents. Each of the parcels is a garden in it of itself, where the “owners” can grow their own choice of vegetables, herbs, flowers. The food grown is consumed by the gardeners and much of it is also given to local food pantries and the Ross School. The EECO farm is starting various youth employment programs which seem to be succeeding thus far. Moreover, EECO farm is eager to educate visiting youth (such as the Girls Club) about their mission and overarching vision. The Girls really loved our short visit to the farm, when were told “if you pick it you can keep it” the girls picked tons of garlic, string beans, and squash blossoms! The ride home was quite funky with all the garlic, but the girls were surprisingly excited to harvest to vegetables.
August 08, 2003
Washington DC Demonstration
In the first picture we where in a rally with other programs. That's the Capital in the background. In the second picture we where walking around demonstrating for child tax laws. In the last picture we all where posing for a photo with Congresswoman Ms. Maloni.
photographer Letasha
Text Yahaira
Why we went to Washington DC
By letasha betancourt
The reason we went to dc was to demonstrate for the new tax law being passed . The reason the law is unfair is that it’s taking money from poor family’s and children who really need it and putting it into rich people and politicians pockets. In my opinion we had a great demonstration we had over 1,000 people from over 20 different non- profit organizations from all over Ny. I firmly believe the leave no child behind law should not be passed.
D C CREW "We Love the Photos!"
Here we are looking at the pictures I took on our trip to Washington D.C. with the Childrens' Defense Fund. We use the ibook to edit our pictures taken with Sony digital cameras.
text by letasha
The Best Job!
I have worked at The LES Girls Club for 6 months in the "Sweetthings" entrepenurial baking program. We make granola cereal and bars, cookies, soap, sofrito, pesto, dried fruits and lemonade. This is the best job that I have had.
I have found my profession!
photo by Lisette
text by Valerie
Neighborhood Guy
I stopped this man in the middle of the street because of his T shirt. He made it himself to honor the musician "Big Pun"
photo & text Renee
Lets Play Ball!!!
This is a picture of Kayann in her softball uniform. She is a member of the Girls Club and stopped by the Farmers market to say hello!
photographer & text Renee
August 07, 2003
Proyecto Story Teller
Neighborhood kids enjoyed making stories at the Farmers market, with Gerardo.
photographer Renee
Painted Body Tatoos
These are examples of different body/face paintings that we do at the Farmer’s Market. The kids loved to come!!
Learning to Knit
This is a picture of Roseleen, Melanie, and Beatrice. They are learning how to knit in the Lower Eastside Girls Club Farmer’s Market. Everyone had trouble starting out but succeeded with practice.
photographer Rene
Texy Melanie
July 30, 2003
Romain Lettuce
Romain Lettuce on sale for 50 cents at Eeco Farms.
Photo by Valerie
garlic
Renee Picked her own Garlic to take home. Eeco farms told us "if you pick it you can keep it" and the girls picked lots of Garlic to take home.
Photo by Valerie
Kayann Interviews at Quail Farm
Kayann interviews a CSA (community supported Agriculture) member at Quail Hill Farms. This man, originally from Sierra Leon, likes harvesting his own Organic fruits and vegetables at Quail Hill Farms.
Photo by Renee
Jessica and baby chick
Jessica holding a baby chick at Quail Hill Farms.
photo by Renee
Eeco Farm Manager
Leslie leads us around Eeco Farm, a community farm in East Hampton, NY.
People from the community can rent parcels of land or "gardens" where they can grow and harvest their own food. The farm is only 2 years old, but it is a success.
Photo by Renee
interview at Quail Hill
Ana interviews farmer Scott at Quail Hill Farms. He is explaining to us how a CSA works.
Photo by Renee
Carrots
Carrots for sale at Quail hill Farms. This is a Community Farm, where by people from the community by shares of the farm, and come to harvest their own produce two times a week.
Photo by Renee
Quail Hill -intro
Scott introduces the group to Quail Hill Farms
Photo by Renee
Quail Hill Farm by Jennifer Suggs
The Ross School has strong relations with several local farms, including Quail Hill. Every year the Ross School orders enough paste tomatoes from Quail Hill to last them throughout the year. Located on the Peconic Land Trust, Quail Hill is a beautiful community organic farm that serves of 160 families in their CSA (community supported Agriculture). Families buy shares of the farm each year and in turn have access to the farm two days a week where they can come harvest their own vegetables and fruits. Quail Hill Farm is certified organic by and is a member of NOFA (North Eastern Organic Farmers Association) and is a member of Bio-Dynamic Farming and Gardening Association. The girls were led around Quail Hill by Scott Chaskey, the farm and preserve manager. We interviewed Scott and a CSA member for our paper, Girls Out Loud. The highlight of the tour was seeing and holding the new born chicks!
farm road
The Road leading to Quail Hill Farms- Peconic Land Trust.
Photo by Renee
"farmer" June
Potrait of "farmer" June, the Girls Club "Sweet Things" kitchen manager and co-manager of the Farmer's Market.
Photo by Renee
girls club gothic
American Gothic: June and Renee displaying Quail Hill Farm's Pickles
farmer scott
Photo of Scott, the farm manager at Quail Farms- Community Supported Agriculture.
Photo by Renee
July 23, 2003
Crown on a Cheek
In this picture, a lower eastside girl gets a crown painted on her cheek by Raina at the Farmers Market on Avenue D and 8th street.
photograph and text by Kevin Cortese
Farmers Market Cherries
These red tasty cherries are sold at the farmers market by one of the
farmers at the farmers market.
photographed by Letasha
text by Roselleen
Writing Poetry at the Farmers Market
This is Eileen my sister, also one of the girls from the girls club. She is thinking about what to write during poetry with Celena.
photographed by Letasha
text by Roselleen
Farmer Brian at the Farmers Market
This is Farmer Brian under his tent at the Farmers Market on 8th street and Ave D, on his cell phone.
Brian said that it’s not enough to be a farmer, he also has to be a business man.
photographed by Letasha
text by Roselleen
Farmers Market Banner
This is a banner that the girls club had made for the farmers market.
The banner is advertising the farmers market to the people in the neighborhood.
photographer Letasha
text Roselleen
July 17, 2003
Pastries and Apple Juice
We also sell pastries and apple juice at the Farmer’s market. We don’t only have produce . We also have “goodies”.
by LES GALA Girl Yahira
Making Art
Part of the Farmers Market is providing arts and crafts for the young neighborhood kids. This little girl is painting with water colors.
by LES GALA Girl Yahaira
Neighborhood Car Wash
This was a carwash on 8th Street and Avenue D . That’s Margarita Lopez with her car. A couple of kids gathered themselves up and made their own business to wash cars and get paid as a summer job. They had lots of fun, too!
by LES GALA Girl Christine
July 15, 2003
Farmer Brian Smiles
‘‘Farmer Brian Smiles" is a picture of farmer Brian at his family farm stand in Riverhead, Long Island, holding up some of his vegetables.
By Gala Girl Letasha
water girl
‘‘Raina loves water’’ is a picture of one of our bosses splashing around by the shore of the beach.
By Gala Girl Letasha
Pepper Plant
‘‘Pepper plant’’ is a picture of one of farmer Brian's crops that he grows on the family farm.
By Gala Girl Letasha
this is me
This is a ‘’portrait of me’’ at the beach.
By Gala Girl Letasha
interview
This is a picture of Renee interviewing farmer Brian at his farm, with a tape recorder for our newspaper, "Girls Out Loud."
By Gala Girl Letasha
hi jenniffer
‘‘Hi Jennifer’’ is a picture of one of the gala coordinators at the beach after we went to brains farm.
By Gala Girl Letasha
hey we do listen
‘’Hey we do listen’’ is a group shot of all the gala girls asking farmer Brian questions and then hearing him answer them back.
By Gala Girl Letasha
Farmer Brian
This is a picture of ‘’farmer Brian’’ leading the way to fresh produce.
By Gala Girl Letasha
caught you
‘’ Caught you’’ is a picture I took of Lou fixing her camera to take more pictures on Brian’s farm which is located in RiverHead Long island.
By Gala Girl Letasha
JESSICA
My name is Jessica and I am a member of the Lower Eastside Girls Club since I was 13 years old. Now I am 17 years old and I attend Manhattan Center High School.
I love the music group NYNC!!! My favorite color is red. I have two brothers and a sister and I am the oldest.
In the summer, I am working at the Girls Club in a program called GALA. Every Saturday, we work in the Farmers Market.
In this picture, I was making my own journal to write about my experiences this summer.
By GALA Girl Jessica
CHRISTINE
Hi, my name is Christine. I am 16 years old and I go to Eastside Community High School. I have three sisters and two brothers. In my free time, I like to talk on the phone, listen to music, hang out, go to parties and go to the beach. I also work at the Girls Club since I was 13 years old but I have been attending the Girls Club since 1997.
By GALA Girl Christine
SCRUMPTIOUS STRAWBERRIES
In our Farmers Market of the Lower Eastside Girls Club, we sell many fruits and vegetables, along with fresh Granola Bars, Smoothies and Natural Homemade Soaps.
This is a picture of a lady named Carmen, buying strawberries at our market.
By GALA Girl Ana
FARMSTAND
This is Brian’s family’s store. They sell many different vegetables and lollipops.
They also sell chocolate marble cheesecake and other great things.
By GALA Girl Roselleen
Trip to Farmer’s Brian’s Farm Project Description by Jennifer Suggs
This summer we have been visiting the farms of our farmers at the market. This is a neat opportunity for the city girls to visit farms out of the city. In July we visit Farmer Brains family farm 3 hours outside of the city. Brian led the girls on detailed two-hour tour of his family farm. Brian’s family has been farming for over a hundred years on both sides. He now grows on two different farms. We toured the large farm, where he grows the majority of his vegetables. Farmer Brian is unique in that he grows a diverse variety of vegetables (cauliflower, broccoli, squashes, onions, leeks, string beans, potatoes, carrots, tomatoes, corn, various greens, pickles, cucumbers, beets, dill, cilantro, basil), Today most farmers specialize in growing one crop, but Brian prefers to farm the traditional way, growing a variety of crops to sell at local markets. He believes it is safer, because monocroping leaves the chance of loosing your crop to one pest, or storm, etc. Brian takes such pride in his work and his passion is obvious as he shows us every row on his large farm. He shows us all of his machinery, his historic barn still in use, the greenhouse, the irrigation system, the tractors for every purpose. Then he shows us every crop, talking about how it is grown, how it is harvested, what problems he has with it, why he likes or does not like to grow it. It was so interesting and even our City girls were enthralled with farmer Brian. Before heading back home he showed us his other farm where he grows potatoes, and then he drove us by the beach one mile away were the girls were delighted to run on the sand for 10 minutes. One last stop at the Gajeski Produce Stand where made some purchases from Brian’s family and then we took off for the city. It was a great day on the farm.
SIGNS
These are the signs that the farmers uses to let the people that drives by to read information about the farm.
By GALA Girl Roselleen
FARMER BRIAN'S HANDS
These are farmer Brian’s hands which he uses to farm.
By GALA Girl Roselleen
PURPLE CAULIFLOWER
This is a purple cauliflower that Brian is growing in his farm. This was my first time actually seen a purple cauliflower.
By GALA Girl Roselleen
BRIAN'S CAT
This cat is one of Brian’s cats and his name is turnip. Turnip was on top of Brian’s Green House.
By GALA Girl Roselleen
LANDSCAPE
This picture was taken when where were going through the many fields of corn.
I love this picture because of the angle of the way the picture was taken. It gives you a general feel of how large the farm is.
BY GALA Girl Beatrice
KITTY
This picture was taken 1 second before the cat (which was above me on a tent) had secreted himself from view. This was one of the many cats Brian and his family own. Their names vary anywhere from Turnip to Thelma and Louise.
By GALA Girl Beatrice
CAULIFLOWER
This picture is basically a bird’s eye view of the cauliflower growing at Brian’s farm.
I like this picture because it is very inquisitive in a sense. People that have never been to a farm before don’t exactly recognize n what cauliflower looks like when it is growing. I thought when taking this picture that I could share that with people on the web.
By LES Gala Girl Beatrice
ABSTRACTION
This picture was taken in the garden of Brian-Gajeski's family farm in Long island, when the auto focus on my camera, focused on the wrong thing.
The sunflower (which was premature) was the main focal point of my picture and instead of the camera focusing on the foreground in focused on the background, which gave it a very abstract look.
By LES Gala girl Beatrice
East Hampton
These following pictures are of our visit to East Hampton, Long Island. The trips main purpose was to visit some of the farms that were around there. You can sort of call it an adventure because some of the girls who came with us had never been to a farm, or seen where most of the foods we grow is cultivated. As you can see in some of the pictures, there are miles and miles of vegetables, some fruit, and some herbs. I guess you could say that we as Americans are spoiled because we are able to grow so much food with out any hassle, though lets not forget the fact that there are still people today who are starving. The other main purpose this trip may have had is to show where all the food comes form when we have our farmers markets. By now I think you should now what market we are talking about but just in case you don’t know, We have farmers markets in our neighborhood so the people in our community have access to fruits and vegetables and keep in there minds that there is a way to eat healthy.
July 11, 2003
ICE COLD LEMONADE
This is a picture of the customers at the farmers market, held on Avenue D every Saturday until October 25th. The basic purpose of this is to bring fresh produce to communitiess where alot of people aren't given the opportunity to buy it. I don't have a particular reason as to why I chose the photo of two people yelling "Ice cold lemonade", to invite customers to buy our products.
By LES Gala girl Beatrice
Gala arts and crafts
This is a picture of G.A.L.A (girls as activist,leaders,an advocates) girls from the Lower Eastside girls club Paloma,Ana,Jessica,Christine,and Valaire along with Celeena are sitting at the arts and craafts table@the farmers market making journals for poetry. I choose the photo because it shows the begining of a new creation.It doesn't show much about our lives but more of our creativity.
By GALA Girl Renee
Customers!!!!
Here in this photo are 2 customers purchasing some potatoes at the farmers mareket.This farmers market is extra special because this market built by the G.A.L.A girls in the girls club.G.A.L.A means girls as activists ,leaders and advocates. I choose this photo because it shows people from the community buying products from the farmeres market which was the whole purpose.This show that people are happy to see a change in their community.
By GALA Girl Melanie
Farmers Market Opening Day June 28, 2003
christine, paloma, jessica, roseleen, valere, yahaira, melanie, eileen
i picked this picture cause i like the color red. in the picture it shows that we're all pretty organized and that we're all content with our lives at that paticular moment in time. it also shows some of the produce that we sell at the farmers market.
These pictures are from one of our first Farmers Markets. On that day we had a lot of face painting, (for the younger kids) and arts and crafts. We also had programs for the mothers on how to enroll their daughters into the LES Girls Club and how you can help by volunteering. We have Farmers Markets in this area of town to show people that there is a right and healthy way to eat.
By GALA Girl letasha
Farmers’ Market Project Description by Jennifer Suggs
While we weren’t on the Hudson River this summer, the GALA girls were on the land…. farmland that is, visiting farmers in Long Island and working hard at our weekly Farmer’s Market. The Farmers’ Market was a massive undertaking that the Girls Club took on this summer, and with help of the GALA girls we have managed to make it a success. Continuing with our ongoing effort to promote nutritional education and support sustainable foods and local farmers, the Girls Club has opened their very own community (non Greenmarket) Farmers’ Market on Ave D. Recognizing that Ave D (largely Puerto Rican, low income Spanish speaking) is a long way away from Ave A ( largely Anglo middle class), we wanted to bring fresh fruits and vegetable to the families that most need them yet have no access to them. These are the families of our girls. The bottom line is that we can not promote a healthy lifestyle at the Girls Club without making an effort to improve the community’s access to fresh foods and awareness of nutritional issues.
Working with the Ryan Nena Health Center and community Senior Centers, we significantly boosted the neighborhood residents’ use of WIC and Senior Coupons in the Farmers Market Nutrition Program. Essentially we have a created the only space where people can redeem their coupons for fresh fruits and vegetables every week. Considering that 35% of New York Hispanics are known to be overweight, this Farmers Market is doing a great service to the Lower Eastside community in promoting the consumption of healthy food while supporting local farmers and NY agriculture. We are also working on providing cooking demonstrations and classes to neighborhood moms in our Sweet Thing’s kitchen. The idea is that mothers can learn how to prepare the fresh foods that they buy at the market each week. We had our first mother’s cooking class on August 13th with the Chef from Paladar, a local Puerto Rican chef who has made it big in the culinary world. More classes are to come once a month in the fall.
The GALA girls have been working all summer to make the market happen each and every week. It is a lot of work to set up and take down the market, advertise for it, work the Sweet Things stand, assist farmers, helping younger kids with Arts and Crafts, etc… Every week the girls worked shifts 9-1 or 1-6. These market days, were not only days of labor they were learning opportunities. The girls participated in poetry workshops with Celena every weekend in July where the main topics of discussion were food, nutrition, and politics. Forcing the girls to address important issues such as understanding where their food comes from, making connections between poverty and obesity, comparing the differences between fresh and processed foods, and learning the “nutritional value” of food and how that affects one’s health. Our poetry sessions became spoken word seminars on food politics, a weekly process which opened all the girls’ eyes and made them think. The end product as a PSA on Veggies for Public Television.