IOGOP Newsletter 4

INDOOR ORGANIC GARDENS OF POUGHKEEPSIE

Its been 19 days since the last update and much has happened since then.

Let’s start by reporting that Earl Crum, our Magician in the Garden, has completed Table number 12 which increases our capacity to 150 lbs every six days.   This is a ways from the 60 Table Phase 1 target but if Demand Grows as it has, that number is not far away.

We are also executing on the VERY IMPORTANT element of our Plan that involves our Farm Workers.     At this point we have two Young Men who are making things happen from Composting, Seeding, Watering, Germinating, Growing, Harvesting and Packaging to ongoing space modification. The 60 Table target will require 12-15 additional workers.

Rahman Moore is our first “hire” and comes to us with experience in Gardening through a program that tended to the City of Poughkeepsie gardening needs in the past.   We are very fortunate to have “Rocky” on our Team and his great work ethic and fast learning attributes.

Our second new Team Member is Jacob Peetle from Hyde Park who comes to us via Nubian Directions.   Jacob is being trained and mentored by Earl, Ginny and Rocky and fast becoming a Key Person. He worked with Ginny in the Harvest and Packaging Room last week and did a great job!! Welcome Rocky and Jacob, we thank them for their important input to our Center City Project in producing Fresh, Nutritious Food to our Customers.

PROJECT PARTNERS

Our ultimate success will of course be dependent on our Partners that help Sell and Distribute our products and the End Users who consume our products.     Adams Fairacre Farms continues to be a major supporter as is Marona’s in Millbrook, Quattro’s in Pleasant Valley, and Monte’s Health Nut Hut in Amenia.   We are about to go into Nature’s Pantry and Mother Earth stores as well and look forward to that new relationship. We are preparing to participate at the Nature’s Pantry Earth Day Event on April 16^th.

Ron Paglia, Senior Trainer at Gold’s Gym in LaGrange has become a Microgreen Advocate (nut) and user as has Andrew Heaney, Candidate for Congress from Millbrook. Our Friend Claudia Ackerman, of Northwestern Mutual introduced us to the Chili Festival a couple of weeks back which resulted in several introductions to New Partner’s, thanks Claudia.   It was also our pleasure to show Kathleen Durham, Executive Director at Eleanor Roosevelt Valkill, our project along with Caterine Cumings. We are working on a participation role with their upcoming LUNAFEST Event coming up on April 14^th. (Check it out on lunafest.org)

We also had a visit from Amy Mueller and Jackie Bach of New York City Greenmarkets.com and look forward to a relationship with their excellent organization that provides Fresh Local Produce to NYC folks in need of Fresh Healthy Food.

Carlo Citera and his expert Chef Jason joined us for a tour and will now be added to our growing list of Restaurants to offer IOGP Microgreens.

Joe Bonura, Sr of the Bonura Hospitality Group stopped by as well and we are grateful for his interest in the Project.

Arrangements are being finalized for us to provide Microgreens for the upcoming Family Services Event on April 21 at the Grandview.   Brian Doyle and many of his Associates have been very supportive as our Project is aligned with many of the Family Services objectives.

Our Restaurants include Le Express, Artists Palette, Turtle and Rabbitt , Seravan, Monte’s, San Georgio, Crave, Crew, Twisted Soul, Cosimo’s, All Shook Up, Mohonk Mountain House and many others, Caterers include Main Course, Lola’s and others.

Let us know about your favorite restaurants and we will contact them for their interest in using our products and of course add them to IOGP NATION.

We continue to get substantial interest in the Nutritional aspect of Micro Greens and the feedback keeps coming regarding the Energy Level experienced after consuming them.   If you have any comments regarding the use of Micro Greens and the attraction, please let me know and I will share it with the IOGP NATION.

We are going to refer to our Partners as IOGP NATION.    Hat’s, T-Shirts and Full Uniform’s are not far behind.

Stay in touch through our Face Book page now being piloted by Sean Fedigan.

Happy Easter and moreover Happy Spring!!! To all!!

Brud, Lori, Earl, Ginny, Karole, Cameron, Rocky, and Jacob.