This 2024 growing season, Archuleta Seniors Inc. and Terrawalk Farms are partnering with Nourish Colorado to bring low-income older adults (age 55 and older) in Archuleta County locally grown, seasonal, organic produce shares through Community Supported Agriculture (CSA). CSAs or farm memberships are a means of creating a mutually beneficial connection between consumers and their farmers. These partnerships result in a bi-monthly bounty of vegetables for the Subscriber.
Terrawalk Farms is a small family farm located off Highway 151.
If you are interested in participating in this FREE fresh produce program, you must meet one of the minimum requirements to be selected as a Subscriber. The criteria for being selected is either:
1. Being a NEW or current client of ASI through our congregate, Meals on Wheels, or pick up/grab n go meal program OR
2. Being a resident of the low income senior housing community (Socorro, Archuleta Housing for the Elderly, Casa De Los Arcos, or Lake View Estates).
Participating Subscribers will receive a fresh local organic produce box alternating weeks throughout the growing season which spans from June 2, 2024 to September 29, 2024. Subscribers will pick up their bi-monthly fresh produce boxes either on site at the Ross Aragon Community Center on Tuesdays or at a to be determined location in Pagosa Springs on the weekends. Details are still being finalized and subscribers will be notified.
What’s available each season? Below is a sample list of possible vegetables you might expect in your share on a bi-monthly basis. ** Note: This is not exactly what you will receive. By joining a CSA you are recognizing that there are many factors week to week, season to season, that may challenge the well devised production plan. Mother nature does not always consider the crop plan:
Produce Share 1: Spinach, radishes, garlic scapes, kale, parsley, arugula
Produce Share 2: Lettuce, turnips, baby beets, mustard greens, greens mix #1
Produce Share 3: Spinach, radish, summer squash, greens mix #2, basil, kale, beets
Produce Share 4: Swiss chard, mizuna, carrots, turnips, arugula, summer squash, cucumber
Produce Shares 5-17: Greens of the week (kale, arugula, greens mix, swiss chard, lettuce, or Asian greens) and the following options that are subject to availability: tomatoes, carrots, turnips, cucumber, onion, beets, eggplant, summer squash, garlic, peppers (sweet and hot).
Produce Share 18: Lettuce, carrots, tomatoes, cucumber, broccoli, leeks, cilantro.
In addition to your weekly food, you will receive a quarterly newsletter that includes simple relevant recipes, musings, and photos of the farm you support.
Optional opportunities to learn and work on the farm! There will be two community days throughout the season, one in July and another in September.
Attend monthly recipe tastings during Archuleta Seniors Inc. upcoming “Fresh Conversations” nutrition education and healthy aging circles starting April through September.
Please call 970-264-2167 or stop by the ASI office at 451 Hot Springs Blvd. to sign up to be considered for this Older Adult Fresh Local Produce Box program. The first thirty interested clients who meet the minimum requirements will become Subscribers and will be eligible to receive their fresh produce boxes throughout the growing season of 2024. For more information contact Archuleta Seniors Inc at 970-264-2167.
Bingo
The Pagosa Senior Center will be hosting bingo twice a month on Friday afternoons from 1:30 pm to 2:30 pm on March 15, April 5, and April 19. The price to participate is free and we ask you bring yourself and a friend for an hour of joyful fellowship. We will provide prizes from local businesses for all winners and snacks will also be provided. No RSVP required, just show up. All ages welcome but we ask those 18 and younger to come with an adult chaperone. Seats are first come first serve. For more information contact us at 970-264-2167
Tai Chi Thursdays
The Pagosa Senior Center is offering T’ai Chi Chih with accredited instructor Patti Popovich each Thursday in the new year from 1:30 pm to 2:30 pm in the dining hall to support older adults who want to discover purpose and fulfillment in this transitional phase of life. Tai Chi Chih is not a martial art, but rather a tool for self-healing. Softness, flow and effortlessness are the guiding principles in this practice. All classes will be free for older adults (age 55 and better) and will last approximately 1 hour in the dining hall. No special special clothing or equipment is required. For more information call 970-264-2167.
Senior Conversations
Join us Mondays at 1:15 pm for a series of “Senior Conversations” with local Bill Salmansohn. He will lead the group through mindfulness exercises and discussion of various topics pertaining to aging in Archuleta County. Explore and discover for yourself answers to your questions and concerns. Hold space and show up for sacred conversation. The meeting will be held at the Pagosa Senior Center in the dining hall. Snacks will be provided.
Share Lunch and Dine Monday through Friday
Open to All. Join us at the Silver Fox’s Den aka Community Cafe in person for daily hot/cold meals Mondays through Fridays downtown at the Ross Aragon Community Center between 11 am and 1 pm weekly. Pickup is available all week including Fridays.
Community Cafe Menu
Thursday, March 14 – Vegetarian Lasagna with White Sauce, Broccolini, Garlic Bread, Garden Salad, Fruit, Lime Tart, Milk
Friday, March 15 – Chipotle Lime Tilapia w/Tartar Sauce, Brown Rice, Sauteed Kale, Garden Salad, Cottage cheese, Fruit, Milk
Monday, March 18 – Corned Beef, Cabbage Colcannon, Carrots, Minted Peas, Garden Salad, Fruit, Chocolate Baileys Cupcake, Milk.
Tuesday, March 19 – Tomato Basil Soup & Grilled Cheese Sandwich, Chef Salad w/ Avocado, Turkey Cheese, Garden Salad, Fruit, Milk.
Wednesday, March 20 – Beef Spaghetti w/ Garlic Bread, Broccoli, Garden Salad, Fruit, Vanilla Yogurt, Milk.
Thursday, March 21 – Sliced Ham w/Cherry Sauce, Scalloped Potatoes, Garden Salad, Fruit, Vanilla Cake, Milk.
Friday, March 22 – Stuffed Portabella Mushroom Caps, Roasted Cauliflower, Garden Salad, Fruit, Bavarian Cream Puffs, Milk.
Covid-19 Test Kits Available
Stop by the Pagosa Senior Center to pick up a pack of 6 free covid-19 tests kits for your personal use. These kits are available to anyone in the public that needs affordable access for health promotion and disease prevention.
Mahjong
Mahjong is a 19th Century Chinese tile-based game that is commonly played with four players. Each player receives 13 tiles with a goal to make matching sets and pairs (like Poker). To win, a player must form four sets and one pair. Come to the Senior Center to learn or play every Tuesday at 1:15 pm.
Support Our Seniors
Please support our ongoing operations and programming that provide critical services to some of the most vulnerable in Archuleta County. You may mail your donation to PO BOX 3444, Pagosa Springs CO 81147 or please visit our website: http://www.psseniors.org/ (donation button). Donation checks can be written to: Archuleta Seniors, Inc. We are located at 451 Hot Springs Blvd., in downtown Pagosa Springs. For more information about ASI, please visit http://www.psseniors.org/
Rose Chavez is Executive Director for Archuleta Seniors, Inc. and Public Health Consultant at Archuleta Food System/Food Equity Coalition.