September 27, 2024
For Immediate Release
Media contact:
Nick Flores, 707-695-3012, nflores@enso.kendal.org
Hannah Merschen, 856-938-9555, Hannah@akcg.com
Ensō Village’s Kitchen Garden Takes Root with First Fall Planting
Ensō Village is a retirement community developed in partnership with the San Francisco Zen Center and The Kendal Corporation that recently opened in Healdsburg, California, in November 2023
Healdsburg, Ca. – (September 12, 2024)—In a heartwarming display of community spirit and environmental sustainability, Ensō Village- A Kendal Affiliate, proudly announces the inaugural fall planting of the Kitchen Garden on the community’s beautiful new campus. This event, celebrated by older adult residents and garden employees, marks the beginning of a new tradition centered around the support of cooking with local food sources and active resident engagement.
Under the expert guidance of Aris Curtis, Kitchen Garden Manager, and enthusiastic participation from the resident Community Garden Group, seeds and starter plants have been carefully sown, promising not just a bountiful harvest for the community, but a sustainable, long-term food source. The initiative not only aims to provide a sustainable, home-grown supply of fresh produce for the delicious dishes prepared by community chefs at Ensō Village, but also sets the stage for a long-term, sustainable food source.
Aris shares, “I am thrilled to bring my farm and garden management experience, along with my academic studies in Sustainable Agriculture and Landscape Design, to my role as the Kitchen Garden manager for Ensō Village. This project holds close to my heart and serves the community in a very special way.” This project is more than just a garden; it symbolizes togetherness and a testament to Ensō Village’s commitment to environmental stewardship and community engagement.
Approximately ten residents, each contributing decades of gardening experience, worked closely with the garden team to prepare the soil and complete the planting. Carole Engberg, a resident member of the Community Garden Group, expressed her excitement, saying, “It was such an honor to be part of the transformation of that space into a true connection for people to enjoy food grown from that soil.” This personal involvement of the residents underscores the active engagement of the community in this sustainable initiative.
Aris Curtis and Chef Kyle Evans, Director of Nourishment of Ensō Village‘s Culinary program, collaborated to select crops suited to Healdsburg’s unique climate. Together, they chose robust vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, kale, carrots, beets, onions, radishes, turnips, and lettuce, ensuring various nutrient-rich options for the community’s meals.
Chef Kyle shares, “The kitchen team here is dedicated to every aspect of nourishment. The delicious meals the residents rave about showcase the care given to how the meal is prepared, and we can’t get more locally sourced than our own community garden.” The goal for 2025 is to rely on the kitchen garden for much of the community’s produce needs, decreasing external produce vendor dependency by 30%.
Environmental Stewardship in Action
The guiding philosophy, “Give back more than you take,” underscores the sustainable practices employed in the Kitchen Garden. The late summer weather presented the perfect opportunity to prepare for fall, with the introduction of native California plants to foster a balanced ecosystem. Aris noted, “The native plants are a vital addition—they help create a balanced environment that allows the vegetables to thrive.”
Editor’s Note: Media members are invited to tour Ensō Village’s Kitchen Garden and interview Garden Manager Aris Curtis, Chef Kyle Evans and older adult resident members of the Community Garden Group. To arrange a meeting, please get in touch with Nick Flores at 707-695-3012 or nflores@enso.kendal.org.
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About Ensō Village- A Kendal Affiliate
Ensō Village is a Life Plan Community in Healdsburg, California, focusing on mindful aging, the joys of nature, environmental stewardship and healthy life choices for adults 60+. This approach incorporates mindfulness practice, compassionate action, and memento-moment awareness while in a relationship with those cared for. It is rooted in Buddhist practices of meditation and contemplation. At Ensō Village, all medical and caregiving staff have been trained in the practice of contemplative care. The preview center is located at 435 Allan Court, Healdsburg, California, 95448. For more information, visit Ensō .kendal.org or call 707-756-5036.
About Kendal
Founded on Quaker principles and guided by Values and Practices, Kendal Affiliates include Life Plan Communities, Life Plan Community at Home, independent living, assisted living, memory care, long-term care and skilled care options. Kendal Affiliates are in New Hampshire; New York; Massachusetts; Virginia; the Washington, DC, Area, Pennsylvania; Ohio and California.