May Newsletter
- msetien
- 1 day ago
- 5 min read
Fresh From the Coalition
Welcome to your May update from the Brownsville Wellness Coalition.
This month, we’re celebrating wellness, growth, and community inside and out. From Mental Health Awareness Month to fresh produce and blooming gardens, there’s something for everyone.
What's Inside This Month's Newsletter
🧑🌾 Vendor Spotlight – Meet Mrs. Amalia Gracia of Gracia’s Farm
🌈 Wellness Spotlight – Mental Health Awareness Month tips & resources
🥕 CSA Program – Fresh veggies, community impact, and how to sign up
🍽️ La Cocina Alegre – Recipe and upcoming class info.
🚚 FRESCO update
🌿 Farm to Table – Reminder: Sponsorship opportunities available
🌱 Community Gardens – Sign up and grow with us!
Vendor Spotlight: Gracia's Farm
This month, we’re proud to shine the spotlight on Mrs. Amalia Gracia, a longtime vendor and inspiring member of our Farmer's market community.
Amalia began her journey over 15 years ago in La Paloma, San Benito, where her farm, Gracia’s Farm, still thrives today. Encouraged by Mrs. Padilla, who kept inviting her to sell at the Brownsville Farmer's Market, Amalia finally decided to give it a try. At the time, she was working a full-time job and didn’t think much of it until one day, she said why not?
She began by sowing cilantro and brought just 15 small bunches to her first market. Though her table was modest, seeing other vendors’ colorful and bountiful displays inspired her to expand her crops. Soon, she was harvesting carrots, beets, broccoli, cauliflower, squash, and much more.
Over the years, Amalia has grown alongside the Farmer's market. She’s one of our longest-standing vendors and continues to run her farm with dedication, often doing it all on her own, with occasional help from family. Her mission is clear: to inspire others to eat organically and live healthier lives.
We’re honored to have Amalia as part of our community and grateful for her continued passion and contribution to local food and wellness.
May is Mental Health Awareness Month
May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and at the Brownsville Wellness Coalition, we believe that wellness starts from the ground up through the food we eat, the spaces we share, and the moments we take to care for ourselves and each other.
This month, we’re spotlighting the simple but powerful ways that nutrition, nature, and community can support emotional well-being.
We’ve been celebrating with garden-based learning activities, like the recent Ebony Pod graduation at Tres Ángeles Community Garden, where young gardeners found joy and calm through hands-on experiences in nature.
Our La Cocina Alegre team has also been out in the community sharing nutritious and uplifting “Probaditas,” promoting both physical and emotional nourishment through food.
Wellness Tip:🥦 Eat the rainbow! Colorful veggies like leafy greens, beets, and carrots are packed with nutrients that support brain function and emotional balance. A healthy gut helps support a healthy mind!
Self-Care Practice:🌱 Spend time in a garden. Connecting with nature—whether you're planting, watering, or just enjoying the space—reduces stress, improves mood, and promotes mindfulness. Try a moment of calm at one of BWC’s community gardens.
Community Resource:🏡 Join a BWC Community Garden or visit the Brownsville Farmers Market! Both offer relaxing environments, access to fresh, nutritious food, and a space to connect with others—key for mental wellness.
CSA Donations
Spreading Goodness, One Bag at a Time.
Thanks to our CSA subscribers, we’ve been able to nourish both bodies and hearts in our community. On May, 37 fresh veggie bags were donated to the South Texas Afghanistan Iraq Veterans Association also known as STAIVA
This is made possible through our CSA Give-Back Program for every CSA box purchased, one fresh veggie bag is donated to a local organization in need.
📞 Sign up today by calling Juan Medrano at (956) 293-7709Eat well. Give back. Grow community. 🌱
Together, we grow stronger! 🙌
La Cocina Alegre Recipe of the month: Roasted Beet Hummus
Ingredients:
1 cup roasted beets (peeled and chopped)
3 cups cooked chickpeas (or 2 cans, rinsed and drained)
¼ cup tahini
3 garlic cloves
2 tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice
Salt and pepper to taste
Optional: lemon zest for garnish
Instructions:
Combine all ingredients in a food processor or blender.
Blend until smooth and creamy.
Taste and adjust with more lemon, salt, or tahini if needed.
Garnish with a bit of lemon zest and enjoy!
🧠 Beets are great for blood flow and brain function. Chickpeas are a rich source of protein and fiber—supporting your gut and heart health. Serve chilled with veggie sticks or whole grain crackers. Perfect for beating the heat!
FRESCO
🌞 FRESCO will be taking a short pause during the summer—but don’t worry, we’ll be back soon! Stay tuned for updates and our return with more fresh, local produce and wellness resources. 💚🥕
Special Events
Blooming Success
On May 10 at the Brownsville Farmers Market, we joyfully celebrated Mexican Mother’s Day with a vibrant local flower sale and it was a blooming success! 💐✨ Thanks to the incredible support from our community, we sold out quickly. Shoppers eagerly picked up beautifully grown, locally sourced flowers to honor the amazing moms in their lives. This special event not only helped celebrate love and gratitude, but also supported our mission. We’re so grateful for your continued support and for helping us make this Mother’s Day extra meaningful.
Ebony Pod Nature School Graduates at Tres Ángeles Community Garden
On May 22, the Brownsville Wellness Coalition celebrated the completion of the Ebony Pod Nature School Garden Program at Tres Ángeles Community Garden.
As junior gardeners, these students explored the wonders of nature, nurtured growing plants and learned the fundamentals of gardening through hands-on experiences. We celebrate their curiosity, growth and the energy they brought to our garden community.
We look forward to seeing the seeds of knowledge they’ve planted grow for years to come.
Farm to Table Sponsorship
🌿 We’re excited to announce sponsorship opportunities for our 6th Annual Farm to Table Dinner! 🍽️✨
This unforgettable evening celebrates local food, community health, and the people who make it all possible. By becoming a sponsor, you’ll support our mission to increase food access, promote wellness, and help launch our biggest initiative yet The Cannery Public Market. 🌱
Ready to make an impact? Learn more and be part of something truly special!
Community Gardens
We welcome everyone to become part of our growing garden community!
Whether you're interested in planting your own fresh produce or giving back through volunteering, there’s a place for you. Our gardens offer a peaceful space to connect with nature, learn new skills, and support wellness in Brownsville. Come grow with us!
“To plant a garden is to believe in tomorrow.”– Audrey Hepburn
“To plant a garden is to believe in tomorrow.”– Audrey Hepburn
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