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Celebrities Support New York’s Edible Garden

  • Susan
  • June 26, 2009
NY Botanical Gardens

New York’s urban paradise, the New York Botanical Garden, is embracing the popular fresh food movement this summer with the expansion of its programs that focus on the growth of edible plants.   This tranquil oasis, which is located in the gritty Bronx borough, is reaching out to the community by showcasing freshly grown herbs and vegetables, which can easily be incorporated into a healthy diet.  Multiple exhibits inspire visitors to grow, prepare, and eat garden-fresh produce and offer opportunities for children and adults to better understand how plants provide the food and drink essential to maintaining life, enhancing wellness, and sustaining the planet.

The 25-acre Edible Garden, which opens June 27 and runs through September 13, will capitalize on the already-successful Children’s Gardening Program, as well as an ongoing farmer’s market that is held on site.  Homemaking guru Martha Stewart even lent her creative touch to help develop the Martha Stewart Culinary Herb Garden, which includes a collection of traditional favorites such as basil, thyme, rosemary and oregano, as well as some of Stewart’s personal favorites, such as chervil, Italian parsley and saltwort.

Jennifer Rothman, associate vice president of children’s and public education and Edible Garden spokesperson, told CBS News that the lush plants will help encourage visitors to incorporate more green vegetables into their daily diets.

“They are going to learn how to grow everything they see and how to harvest and use those vegetables at-home in their kitchen,” said Rothman.  “It’s really timely now, with some of the health issues that our society is facing and also the economic issues that we’re facing.  Growing vegetables is economically efficient and good for you.”

Martha Stewart will make an appearance at the Edible Garden on Saturday, June 27, preparing herb-themed cocktails for garden visitors, including such creations as Purple Basil Mojitos and Marthatinis.   She is just one of the many celebrity foodies and chefs scheduled to use the garden harvest for culinary creations this summer.  Other chefs slated to appear include Emeril Lagasse, Lidia Bastianich and Dan Barber, who recently won the James Beard Award for “2009 Chef of the Year.”  An audio tour, available through visitors’ personal cell phones, includes narration by celebrity Chef Mario Batali and actress and garden supporter Bette Midler.

One of the highlights of the exhibit includes the “Pizza Garden,” which has everything you might need to adorn one of New York’s favorite and most revered food items.   There’s also a special exhibit in place called “Tropical Fruits, Roots and Shoots.”

This summertime exhibit is a green getaway for nature-starved New Yorkers and stands in stark contrast to the urban Bronx neighborhoods surrounding it.  The Edible Garden will continue all summer with tours, tastings, demonstrations and celebrity lectures.

Related Link:

WCBS-TV Video of the Edible Garden

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