Tuesdays are busy at the Crisis Ministry’s Princeton pantry. As Tuesday hours stretch into evening, clients flock to the pantry for fresh produce and healthy food choices, as well as for the friendly smile and warm greeting of volunteer Katy Kinsolving. Always generous with her humor, knowledge, and compassion, Katy is a dedicated and valued Crisis Ministry friend.
We are particularly fortunate to take advantage of Katy’s expertise and training as a food consultant, educator, and writer, who is experienced with sustainability movements in the community. Katy brings this passion to her work at the food pantry: “I love using my nutrition and cooking background to steer clients in the direction of healthy choices,” she says. “Most of the time I don’t need to say a word: the women and men who shop at Crisis Ministry are there because they hope to find fresh spinach or mushrooms, oranges and grapes, bananas, bell peppers, and acorn squash in our pantry.”
As a cooking teacher, certified Health Counselor, and author of a cookbook and food blog, Katy knows what she is talking about. Clients shopping in the food pantry have a real resource at their fingertips, and her time spent as a recipe developer is an added bonus. “Occasionally,” she says, “I can suggest a simple preparation method that might make someone select a bunch of kale or collard greens when they might not have, or pick up a few oranges instead of some bottled juice and that is neat.”
Katy enjoys sorting through the produce that arrives at the pantry each Tuesday, and appreciates the opportunity to communicate her passion for healthy eating to the clients she serves. “We all know that our health is dependent on an abundant supply of fresh fruit and vegetables. Our clients are no exception. They line up hours in advance on the day that the Whole Foods donation of fresh fruit and vegetables arrives. It is an added bonus when some of the community gardens in the area bring in contributions of Swiss chard, eggplant, tomatoes, and cucumbers. The Crisis Ministry is clearly making a difference by getting fresh produce directly to its clients.”
Thank you, Katy. You make a difference in our community.