February 2025 Newsletter
Dear Mama,
Happy February! We are inching toward longer days, and planting time for our FarmHers is nearing! Did you know that many of our FarmHers are starting to germinate (or sprout) seeds this month? Over the next few weeks, tiny green life will emerge from the soil. This small sprout, cared for lovingly by our FarmHers, will continue to grow as we enter into spring. Eventually, the plant will be ready for transplanting outdoors, and from there, it will continue to grow! With nutrients from the soil, cool water, and warm sunlight, what started as just a small seed will eventually produce all the wonderful fruits and vegetables to come this year. Time and time again, this process brings us hope and life.
This month, we’ll be gathering with our cooperative of female farmers to plan out the year ahead. We’ll look at harvest and production schedules to plan out each food tote for 2025, and we’ll also be working collectively to brainstorm and plan on-farm events and opportunities for YOU! As this program continues to grow and reach new moms and their babes, we can’t help but look back at where we started and how far we’ve come. We’re building something really beautiful with the FarmHer to Mama program - together! - and that fills us with so much joy. Know that your input matters; if you have a suggestion for or story to share about FarmHer to Mama, let us know! We would be so honored to listen.
In your tote this month, you’ll find some really tasty local items: crunchy microgreens and a fresh spinach & pea shoot salad, creamy squash soup, pinto beans, and more. We hope you’ll test out some of the recipes we’re sharing in our “FarmHer to Mama Connections” group on Facebook and fill your belly with nutritious goodness!
Food Justice For All,
The FarmerHer to Mama Team
Anne, Anna, Virginia, Becca, Allyssa, Veronica, & Alyssa
February Goodies
Eggs from Six Day Farm (Dyer, IN) and Tulip Tree Gardens (Beecher, IL)
Microgreens from Baby Greens Family Farm (Merrillville, IN)
Autumn Frost Squash Soup from Perkins’ Good Earth Farm (DeMotte, IN)
Carrots from Perkins’ Good Earth Farm (DeMotte, IN)
Pinto Beans from Kankakee Valley Homestead (Walkerton, IN)
Spinach & Pea Shoot Salad Mix from Rainfield Farm (New Carlisle, IN)
Apples from Garwood Orchard (La Porte, IN)
Foodie Tips
A hearty breakfast is a great way to kickstart your day and give you energy! Make sure to get plenty of protein - eggs are a great source!
Pinto beans are also a excellent source of protein. Did you know that they are a fantastic source of fiber, iron, potassium, and magnesium too? Protein and fiber both help to keep you fuller, longer. Keep this super food on hand and add to your dishes as a great heart-healthy, vegetarian option.
Store microgreens and salad mix in the fridge - these are both best enjoyed within a few days of receiving your tote!
Keep autumn frost squash soup in the freezer; when ready to eat, simply put in the fridge overnight to thaw.
From Our Staff at the Council
Dear Mama,
I don't know about you, but January is always a tough month for me. We're encouraged to make new year's resolutions or new goals to better ourselves, but often all I want to do is curl up under a cozy blanket, sip a hot drink, and enjoy my twinkle lights. Life is often too busy for that, but I was able to find a few quiet, peaceful moments last month where I could sit and just be. Although January felt incredibly long, I hope you found a few of those quiet moments too, Mama.
February always seems to bring new hope. We're out of the darkest days of winter, and even though it's still a ways away, I feel like we're inching toward spring. As a farmer and a first-time mom who loves getting outdoors with my babe, I am SO ready. Bring on the fresh air, the smell of soil, and spring storms! It truly fills me with life every year.
I want you to know that FarmHer to Mama fills me with life too. However long you've been with this program, I hope you can feel the love that our team puts into every tote. This work gives us hope, and from your NFP nurse to the Purdue Extension Nutrition Education Program educators to our NWI Food Council staff to our collaborative of female farmers... you've got a deeply-rooted support system, Mama, and we're all cheering you on, through all of your firsts with your babe. Thank you for being here with us and joining our community.
With love,
Becca T
Farm to Food Access Coordinator
A Look Ahead
March - eggs, yogurt, mixed greens, microgreens, applesauce, and more!
Join our FarmHer to Mama Facebook Group for support, recipes, tips, & community.
Questions or feedback about the program? We’d love to hear from you! Reach out to Anne (info@nwifoodcouncil.org, 219-313-8828) or Becca (becca@nwifoodcouncil.org, 219-928-3225).
