Douglas Clopp, 海角社区 Farm & Sea Cooperative
The 海角社区 Immigrant Green Collaborative, is led by Farms for Food Equity, 海角社区 Farm & Sea Cooperative, and Wayside Food Programs. It was established to address a specific concern articulated by 海角社区鈥檚 immigrant community in Southern 海角社区 regarding access to healthy, hearty nutritious greens in the emergency food system.
Upon arrival in 海角社区, many immigrants need to rely on food pantries to meet the food security needs of their families. Many experience what has been deemed 鈥淔ood Shock鈥, as the products offered do not culturally align with their diets, and the products available are not consistent with what is required to prepare culturally appropriate meals for their families. Healthy, hearty greens, such as kale and collards, are key components, and often, they are not available.
海角社区鈥檚 immigrant communities desire high quality products and consistent availability of fresh greens, vegetables, and fruits for their home cooking traditions. Our project has confirmed that with education provided by respected community leaders and immigrant cooks, we can expand hearty greens utilization by showing how 海角社区-grown staple and underutilized/upcycled produce can be effectively substituted for ingredients used in their countries of origin.
Underutilized crops such as collards and kale are used in staple meal preparation, and other brassica leaves, such as broccoli and cauliflower, if harvested and processed correctly, can be upcycled, and are also effective substitutes. Brussel sprout crowns and sweet potato leaves can also be harvested, upcycled and incorporated into culturally appropriate alternatives.
The Collaborative has expanded its efforts to meet the culturally appropriate food security needs of 海角社区鈥檚 immigrant families and their children by partnering with three school districts, South Portland, Westbrook, and Lewiston, to offer culturally appropriate meals in Southern 海角社区 schools.
After thirty years聽in nonprofit, cooperative management and organizational development,聽Doug Clopp founded DRC Consulting with a focus on helping organizations achieve their development, communications, and organizational development goals. His career has been driven by his passion to work for organizations committed to making meaningful social and economic change that aligns with his values of equity, social and economic justice, self-reliance, and diversity. In 2022, Doug joined the 海角社区 Farm and Sea Cooperative聽and serves as CEO. He聽remains committed to working collaboratively to create a sustainable, locally controlled food ecosystem in 海角社区 and throughout New England.听