Earth and Spirit to serve as organic food delivery site
In keeping with its dedication to providing islanders with healthy, earth friendly alternatives, Earth and Spirit Garden Gallery has recently been added as a delivery site for Warden Farms. A provider of fresh, local, organic produce through the farm’s community supported agriculture membership program, Worden Farms will begin sending produce to Earth and Spirit later this year. This special program will run over a 20-week period from the first week of December to the middle of April.
All residents are invited to enroll into the program to begin receiving all natural, local produce. To learn more about the Warden Farm membership program, everyone is welcome to visit Earth and Spirit Garden Gallery on Saturday, Sept. 18, from 11 a.m. to noon when Eva Worden, Ph.D., will hold an information session and speak about eating and growing local, organic food. Anyone interested can enroll into the program at that time or go to wordenfarm.com for membership information. To participate in the Earth and Spirit delivery program those interested must enroll no later than Oct. 1.
Worden Farm, a 85-acre certified organic family farm, produces more than 50 varieties of vegetables, fruits, herbs and flowers. Located in Punta Gorda, the farm’s produce is available fall through spring and in addition to selling and delivering fresh vegetables, it also offers an apprenticeship program to learn about organic community farming as well as pre-registered tours of the farm. Benefits of enrollment into the Worden Farm program includes a guaranteed, weekly harvest of produce during peak season, a weekly farm newsletter that contains recipes, ideas, farm updates and photos, free farm tours for members and their guests during season, discounts on farm workshops and special events, a 10 percent discount at all Worden Farm farmers market locations and the satisfaction of helping to protect the environment as Worden Farm uses no chemical pesticides or fertilizers at the farm.
While the harvests provided by Worden Farm will vary with the season, typically, a one week share may include a head of lettuce, a bunch of kale, a bunch of carrots, two tomatoes, a quart of potatoes, two squash, four oranges, a quart of green beans and a bunch of basil.
“So far, several residents have expressed great interest in enrolling in the program,” said Earth and Spirit owner Diane Limpett. “Some families have even joined together to share the harvest each week since they are small households.”
According to information provided by Worden Farm, a classic box harvest share comfortably fulfills the weekly produce needs of two people who like to eat plenty of vegetables, however, households can enroll for more than one share, or shares can be split between two or more families.
“Part of our mission at Earth and Spirit is to support farmers and artisans. By becoming a drop-off site we are encouraging residents to partner with a family organic farm,” Limpett said. “Also, we want to provide visitors with organic produce on a consistent basis. Working with Worden’s will help us to do that.”
Owners of Earth and Spirit, Scott and Diane Limpett are Pine Island residents who opened their business to help to restore the natural landscapes of the island and who partner with local businesses, organizations and residents to “bring together a collective spirit of community and to celebrate the earth and the gifts we have been given for the life of the world.”
Scott is a landscaper with more than 25 years of experience and is a self-taught metal artist. Diane is a consultant and spiritual director who conducts retreats, workshops and gatherings with meaning often held on the St. James City property.
Visitors to Earth and Spirit, located on Maria Drive in St. James City, will find “green”, sustainable items for home and garden in the form of indoor and outdoor water features, botanicals, works of various art styles and Fair Trade items such as coffee, tea and chocolate, outdoor recycled furniture, locally produced jams and honey and more.
During the summer months, Earth and Spirit Garden Gallery is open on Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and during season, from October through May, is open to the public Wednesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
For more information, call Earth and Spirit at 282-1025 or visit earthandspiritgardengallery.com