The Green Thumb Lunch Program at Cordova Recreation and Park District’s Neil Orchard Senior Activities Center was recently honored by the California Park and Recreation Society District 2 as the 2017 Recreation & Community Program of the Year.

Roasted tomato bisque soup, Waldorf spring salad, a rosemary chicken wrap and homemade bread are some of the delicious options offered during the Green Thumb Lunch. The Green Thumb Lunch Program began in 2011 and was developed by the senior center’s staff and volunteer garden club. The members of the program cultivate a year-round garden of herbs and vegetables. Ingredients from the garden are used to make fresh salads, soups, sandwiches and baked goods to feed nutritional lunches to seniors weekly.

“The Green Thumb Lunch Program is a great example of “farm to fork” and served more than 2,500 meals to seniors in 2016 alone,” said CRPD Board of Directors Chair Terri Leimbach.” The District is very proud that this program and the hard work of CRPD staff and volunteers has been recognized.”

The Green Thumb Lunch is served every Wednesday at the Neil Orchard Senior Activities Center located at 3480 Routier Road in Sacramento. Staff and volunteers hope to expand the program by adding more garden beds and fruit trees and possibly partnering with the local food bank to donate excess produce.

“Our Green Thumb Lunch provides access to a healthy, low-cost meal to seniors while creating a sense of community,” said CRPD Recreation Supervisor Heather Schelske. “We hope to inspire other communities to model this program.”