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Columbia Kitchen

Summer 2026 Newsletter

Top 5IVE Changemakers Award

Left to right: Volunteer John Brigham and Susan Ball, Executive Chef Kathy Silliman, Executive Director Joan Koweek, Co-Founders Pam Kline and Carole Clark, and Director of Programs Jolene Race

Columbia Kitchen was honored with Capital Region Independent Media’s 2026 Top 5IVE Award in a ceremony on April 17 at The Wire Event Center in Coxsackie! The awards were launched in 2023 “to honor local individuals and organizations making a meaningful impact.”

Our incredible team of staff members, volunteers, and community partners all helped to make this honor possible. We thank you for your continued commitment to Good Food For All!

Volunteer Spotlight

Columbia Kitchen Volunteers Eleanor Oldham and Mary Kimball

In 2024, when Mary Kimball first signed up to be a volunteer, she knew one thing: she didn’t want to help in the kitchen! But Mary has enthusiastically jumped in to lend a helping hand in many other facets of our everyday operations. She volunteers as a weekly meal packer and substitute driver, and was instrumental in navigating our meal delivery scheduling system when former volunteer Eleanor Oldham moved to Europe last fall.

“Columbia Kitchen means a lot to me and I’m proud of how CK has evolved. But what impresses me the most are the meals. They are professional quality and I am fortunate to be part of this organization.”

-Volunteer Mary Kimball

Letterbox Farm Donates CSA Shares to Four Families in Need

Photo courtesy of Letterbox Farm

Letterbox Farm, one of our many Farm Partners, has generously donated weekly CSA shares this season to four of our recipient families! With support from CSA member donations, the shares include fresh vegetables, eggs, and meat, and access to their you-pick herb and flower garden.

“Our Sponsor a Share program means a lot to us farmers because it brings people into the ‘farm-ily’ who we might not have made a connection with otherwise. It feels good to see more people fed and to know our members feel the same. For the members who donate, it’s an excellent opportunity to act hyper-local, but also to spread the joy around. Sponsored members get the full experience with no strings attached—just weekly pickups, walks to the pigs, and strolling through the herb and flower garden.”

-Maggie Reilingh, Letterbox Farm Co-Owner and Operator

“We're overwhelmed by the kindness and generosity shown to us by Columbia Kitchen and Letterbox Farm. Thank you very much for all that you've done and continue to do for my family, and the many other struggling families and individuals who are simply trying to get from one day to the next.”

-Columbia Kitchen client and Sponsor a Share recipient

Little Forest Farm Provides Farm-Grown Mushrooms for Our Meals

A variety of Little Forest Farm mushrooms provided to our Kitchen

With support from the Glynwood Center for Regional Food and Farming Food Sovereignty Fund, Little Forest Farm, another of our wonderful Farm Partners, is generously donating mushrooms to our Kitchen throughout the growing season! Our chefs have transformed lion’s mane, chestnut oyster, comb tooth, and black pearl varieties into satisfying dishes, including savory sausage and biscuits with mushroom gravy.

Community Partner Events Supporting Our Mission

Photo courtesy of A Run to Remember

This year’s A Run to Remember took place on May 2 at Greig Farm in Red Hook, and funds from the race were donated toward our work here at Columbia Kitchen. The annual event is organized by Austin Loeffel: “A Run to Remember was created to honor our loved ones who have passed, and to celebrate the strength of our community. It's not only a tribute to those we’ve lost, but also a chance to come together, support each other, and create lasting memories.”

On June 6, Spencertown Academy Arts Center held its first Plant Swap and Sale! Proceeds from the sale were donated to Columbia Kitchen.

Peter Bevacqua and Stephen King’s Annual Open Garden Day took place on May 30. This event was organized through The Workshop Experience Weekend, with ticket sales benefiting Columbia Kitchen and the Claverack Free Library.

Slow Food Hudson Valley’s Spring Benefit at Liberty Farms on April 26 raised funds in support of Columbia Kitchen and other food justice efforts in our area: “By strengthening food access for community members suffering from food insecurity, we both help to build a market for local farm produce and alleviate hunger.”

We are grateful each of these organizations for their generosity in helping us to address food insecurity in our community!

Upcoming Events

Photo courtesy of Hudson Farmers Market

Sat. June 27 - Kinderhook Farmers Market

Sat. July 11 - Copake Hillsdale Farmers Market

Sat. July 25 - Germantown Farmers Market

Sat. Aug. 1 - Hudson Farmers Market

Sat. Aug. 8 - Roe Jan Summerfest - Partial proceeds to benefit CK

Sat. Aug. 22 - Greater Hudson Promise Neighborhood Block Party

Sat. Sept. 26 - Copake Hillsdale Farmers Market

Sat. Oct. 17 - Hudson Farmers Market

Sat. Nov. 7 - SAVE THE DATE - Columbia Kitchen Annual Volunteer & Farm Partner Appreciation Dinner

Follow Us on Social Media!

Help us share awareness of our mission on social media! It’s easy: just give us a follow on our Facebook and Instagram pages. And if you feel called to do so, please also like and share our posts, which helps us to reach even more people!

Columbia Kitchen is a donor-funded and volunteer-fueled organization. If you’d like to support our work, please donate by clicking here, or scanning the QR code below.

 

Columbia Kitchen

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PO Box 268, Hudson, New York 12534, United States

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