Alice McEwen straightened up from the broad ribbon of arugula she was harvesting and carried a third tub of greens to the garden's edge. Before the morning is over, she might bring in some pumpkins, as well. They'd be needed for the salmon risotto with pumpkin and sage. Or maybe she'd pick some kale for the curried chicken thighs.
"A little clean dirt never hurt anyone," she said, content with the condition of her fingernails.
McEwen, of Eden Prairie, retired three years ago after a career as an IT specialist. Now she spends a morning or two a week somewhere on Open Farms -- three acres of vegetables growing on the west edge of Belle Plaine.
The produce, most of it planted, tended and harvested by volunteers, is driven (by volunteers) to Open Arms of Minnesota in Minneapolis, where it's used in meals prepared (mostly by volunteers) and delivered (you guessed it) to people living with multiple sclerosis, Lou Gehrig's disease, HIV or AIDS, cancer and dozens of other diseases.
Open Arms has been delivering meals to people with life-threatening illnesses for more than 20 years, but last year began growing its own organic produce. The idea was to gain a little more control over their ingredients (while granting that "control" remains one of farming's more futile pursuits). Organizers soon discovered that they had tapped into another movement: people who want to play a role in providing food for others while sharpening their own gardening skills.
"There's a great network of people who just like to garden," said Ben Penner, the farm's director. "We're focused on produce, but this also is a chance to be a part of something that has an immediate and tangible effect. We're really harnessing the energy of people interacting with food."
Growing for health
Open Farms is plowing a fresh furrow in the healing community, harvesting about 21,000 pounds of produce last year, and expecting to bring close to 30,000 pounds into its kitchen at 2500 Bloomington Av. S. by the end of the season, said Susan Pagani, Open Arms' communications director.