MyPlate with HEAL Project Kids

Last week we had a fun, interactive lesson on MyPlate! HEAL Project kids and teachers enjoyed it very much!

The class started with the introduction to MyPlate. We printed a big poster of MyPlate, which can be found in the printable section of choosemyplate website.

In order to make the class engaging we included a cooking demonstration as part of the lesson!

Even though the lesson plan was focused on teaching children about MyPlate, we also used the opportunity to put their spelling skills to the test.

We started the lesson by placing butcher paper in the table and placing all ingredients on it. Each kid had the opportunity to go to the table circle an ingredient, write its name, and identify which food group the ingredient belong to. Although challenging at times kids loved it!

Did you know tomatoes and avocados are fruits not vegetables?

They also had the opportunity to prepare a delicious guacamole (which most of them haven't had before!)

After the guacamole was ready each kid had the opportunity to build their own wrap made with a whole wheat tortilla with quinoa. Yummy!

Even the school dean Mr. Sidney came and tasted the delicious food prepped by the HEAL kids! We can't wait to have more cooking demos in class they are definitely a powerful learning tool!!

Dare to try Red Okra!

Ingredient Highlight : Red Okra


The other day I was really excited to bring to the market the first harvested red okra from our gardens! I was really disappointed when no one dared to try the red okra! Comments were : What is that ? Red okra really? I have never seen red okra before and; Where is the green okra?


Since nobody purchased it I decided to take some home. I was determined to show that red okra could be delicious. The funny thing - It was also my first time trying red okra :)

What happened as I cooked it was surprising. As the pan started to heat, the red okra started transforming to the familiar green we all know! Take a look at the pictures I took while cooking red okra.

Red Okra before cooking

Red okra after adding it to the hot pan for a couple of minutes

cooked red okra!

It was very fun to cook and it was really delicious!

The recipe I made was adapted from a recipe I found online. 

Spiced Red Okra  

This recipe is good as a side dish. Yields 3 servings. 

Ingredients 

• Red Okra 1 pint - Cut in rounds ( you could also use green okra) 
• Cumin Seeds - 1/2 tsp
• Coriander Seeds - 1/2 tsp
• Lime - 1/2 lime or more if you like it. 
• Cayenne Pepper - 1/4 tsp
• Cumin Powder - 1/2 tsp 
• Salt and pepper to taste 
• Oil - I used grape seed oil but any oil you have available should work

Instructions 

1. Heat oil in a cast iron pan add cumin seeds and fry until they start to get brown.
2. Add the okra and stir fry on medium heat about 1-2 minutes. When they start to change color add the juice of 1/2 a lime. This will take care of the slime. 
3. Add other spices and stir fry. cook for 2-3 minutes Cover the pan and let it cook for a couple of minutes ( 3-4 minutes). Open the lid and let it cook on high heat for a couple of more minutes on high heat until the okra has a green/ brown color.  Make sure to keep stirring constantly to avoid the okra from burning or sticking to the pan. 
4. Taste and adjust seasoning if desired. 

Final thought : Dare to try new things you may be surprised to find whats out there!

by Rosamar Torres, Programs and Communications Manager

Mobile Market expands to Senior Center in the Lower 9th Ward

A couple of weeks ago our mobile market added a stop at the Lower 9^th Ward Senior Center! Every Tuesday from 11am – 12pm we park our truck at the back of the center located between Egania St. and Claiborne in the Lower 9^th Ward. There we are received by a group of seniors happily expecting their produce, especially collards, okra and fruits.

It has been really exciting for us to expand our market and bring fresh produce to the seniors in our community and to increase their access to healthy produce.

Additionally, the Veggie Power Program (VPD) was added in order to increase the purchasing power of seniors citizens at the center. Through the VPD seniors who purchase $5 dollars worth of fresh fruits or vegetables get $2 off their purchase.

We expect to add another stop very soon! Stay tuned! 

For more information follow us via Twitter , Facebook @Sankofanola

Re- Opening of Sankofa's Mobile Market

After a few months closed due to the freezing weather, we officially re-opened The Sankofa Mobile Market this past Saturday April 5, 2014 at 5030 St. Claude Avenue in the Lower 9th Ward.

Produce in the market included : hydroponic tomatoes, radish, turnips, Ponchatoula strawberries, collard, mustard greens and fresh herbs from our garden.

Plump tomatoes from Cajun Growers

Turnips and Radishes from Frank Fekete Farms

Juicy Ponchatoula strawberries from Fletcher Family Farm

Through the Mobile Market, we are bringing fresh vegetables, fruits, and herbs to the Lower Ninth Ward every week. We are currently developing plans to expand to additional stops in the neighborhood during June. Through offering low-cost produce sales we are working to address the ‘food desert’ problem , a major issue in New Orleans, address some of those barriers that affect access to fresh fruits and vegetables in low-socioeconomic communities.

We recently started a new Rewards Program for our loyal customers to continue to support healthier eating. Many shoppers signed up for the Rewards Program and will receive a free item when they purchase vegetables and fruits at the Mobile Market at least two times a month.  

Sankofa is working to improve health and wellness in our community and create progressive programs that bring quality of life resources to the area. Community collaborations are critical to our work and the success of the Mobile Market. We appreciate the support of Reverend Dyson and Mr. Parther for their support in hosting the Mobile Market at St Paul Church of God in Christ at 5030 St Claude Ave.

Community members picking out local strawberries

Please come by and visit us for fresh local produce, and join us in this movement to improve community health and wellness. We hope to see you this Saturday, April 12!