Our guest columnist this week is Archuleta Senior Inc grower and farmer Kelle Carter Bruno. Kelle joined the ASI team this past August 2023, when ASI purchased through ARPA grant dollars a 42-foot growing dome from local business Growing Spaces Greenhouses. The dome is located on the Growing Spaces campus in Pagosa Springs.
The goal of the dome is to find a year-round location for the production of new nuts and vegetables to supply the cafeteria of the Pagosa Senior Center network, which serves the network five days a week and offers tasty, nutrient-dense foods recommended according to the seasons. On-site dining. takeaway and meals on wheels.
“I began applying as a horticulturist for the Archuleta Senior Center last August with the purpose of supplementing the existing feeding program by providing the kitchen with fresh, nutrient-dense, locally grown produce. This position was made possible by a grant of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), which President Biden signed into law on March 11, 2021, to combat the economic and health effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Of the $1. 9 trillion, $1. 43 billion of dollars are dedicated to the Older Americans Act (OAA) and the national network of regional agencies on aging. The San Juan Basin Regional Agency on Aging, Inc. is partnering with Archuleta Seniors, Inc. (ASI ) to supply a greenhouse lawn to help middle-aged people and the Meals on Wheels program.
“Growing food has been my hobby for at least two decades. I have a very bright memory of when I pulled a carrot off the ground at the age of 17 and felt like I had answered a question I didn’t know I had asked. Like most gardeners, the end of August is a busy time for me. The grass is exploding and those green tomatoes are finally getting pretty sunny in shades of red, purple, and orange. It’s time to cook, eat, percentage, and maintain crops for next winter.
“Last August, I found myself planting seedlings and preparing for a new growing season. Placing a seed in the ground is an act of acceptance and hope. As the season transitioned into the fall, when I regularly put my lawn to sleep, I found myself starting a new experience with lawns. What plants would produce at 7,500 feet above sea level during the cold winter months?I discussed kitchen desires with ASI chef Cynthia Sperry and paired her desires with plants hardy enough to grow during the cold season. We decided to try: cabbages, cilantro, cucumbers, radicchio, dark red and purple lettuce, spinach, fennel bulbs, cabbages and red cabbage, multicolored chard, dill, and cherry tomatoes.
“My seeds germinated in September. I got rid of the wilted plants of the summer season and transplanted the new ones. So far, I’ve produced: forty-five pounds of cucumbers, 50 pounds of lettuce, 33 pounds of kale, 26 pounds of Swiss chard, 15 pounds of fennel bulbs, and 15 pounds of kale, plus culinary herbs like lemongrass, rosemary, and dill. Cilantro is used in the guacamole that tops Baja-style fish tacos; rosemary adds flavor to the white vegetarian bean-artichoke casserole; Lettuce, cucumbers and grape tomatoes are added to the new salad bar; Lemongrass is added to red curry cod and Moroccan stew, while kale and Swiss chard are sautéed as a nutritious garnish.
“It’s bitterly cold this morning as I head inside the dome to check on the plants, my car thermometer registers a chilly -13ºF. Inside the dome it is warm, humid, and 45*F. The condensation has frozen to the window and the trim on the door. The plants are working hard; they are not loving these temperature drops but they are slowly growing. I am adjusting my thought process to harvesting and washing greens while there is snow on the ground. It is incredible that the Growing Spaces growing domes provide the ability to allow for vegetable production in the winter! I am grateful for the opportunity to serve the community in this way and to learn from the plants, as they are always good teachers.”
If you would like to sample these locally grown vegetables and freshly prepared meals, stop by the Community Cafe at 451 Hot Springs Blvd M-Th to dine in or M-F grab n go. All ages welcome. Please make your reservation for lunch by 9 am each day by contacting us at 970-264-2167.
Our dining room is open to all ages and welcomes you with kindness and warmth. We supply hot/cold food to anyone in the network interested in a nutritious and delicious meal. For Americans age 60 and older, we ask for counseling. $10. 00 donation, but no one will be turned away. There is a $10. 50 fee for visitors under the age of 60. Meals include an entrée, a side dish, fruit/dessert, herb salad, and a drink. Some popular menu pieces come with: fried chili pie, red meat tenderloin with harvested chutney, Singaporean red meat ribs, vegetarian lasagna, Hawaiian shrimp with coconut rice, and an excellent green salad. Many of our pieces are organic and locally sourced.
Our chef works with a team of local food professionals to prepare your meal by hand. You can dine in our cozy dining room (with amazing perspectives of San Juan) or take (via our drive-thru service) with you at once. of your restaurants. Local adventures in the land of Pagosa. Our menu is adjusted daily.
To reserve your meal for the day please make your reservation via text or phone call 970-264-2167 by 9 am weekdays.
Friday, Jan. 19: Mushroom quiche, broccoli and cheese, wilted spinach, herb salad, fruit, chocolate hazelnut cake, milk.
Monday, January 22 – Beef Spaghetti w/ Garlic Bread, Peas & Pearl Onions, Garden Salad, Fruit, German Chocolate Cake, Milk
Tuesday, Jan. 23: Moroccan Stew, Hot Artichoke and Spinach Sauce, Pita Chips, Garden Salad, Vanilla & Fruit Yogurt, Milk
Wednesday, Jan. 24: Chicken fajitas with tortillas, sour cream, salsa and guacamole, garden salad, fruit, flan and milk
Thursday, January 25: Crispy cod with tartar sauce, green beans, roll, garden salad, fruit and milk.
Friday, January 26: Pork kielbasa, German potato salad, sweet and sour cabbage, garden salad, fruit, Bavarian cream and milk puff pastries.
Rose Chavez is CEO of Archuleta Seniors, Inc. and a public health consultant at Archuleta Food System/Food Equity Coalition.
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