On September 27th, MSCG attended the 45th Annual Green Thumb Harvest Fair in Hattie Carthan Community Garden and Von King Park and we are thrilled to share that MSCG earned several awards and ribbons.

Lorna Robley introducing herself to judges and audience. 📸 by Arlene Roberts

Lorna Robley who represented MSCG placed second in the Fresh Chef contest and earned special praise from the judges for the distinct flavor of her dish. The candidate pool was very competitive, with seasoned cooks from all walks of life.

Lorna with her dish. 📸 by Arlene Roberts

Fresh chef contestants (lower level) with panel of judges (back row on stage). 📸 by Arlene Roberts

MSCG also earned ribbons for produce in the special category that highlights culturally relevant flowers, fruits, herbs and vegetables Green Thumb garden groups have grown this season. Green Thumb did a special display, gallery-style, of all the winning entries. Photos were framed and hung on the fence in the park for passers-by to enjoy. Below are the winning produce submissions with personal anecdotes.

🏆 Winning produce submission: First Place- Bitter Melon

When I was a kid growing up in Trinidad, no one could convince or coax me into eating caraille (otherwise referred to as bitter melon) regardless of how you dressed it up or disguised it. As an adult, I have come to appreciate its medicinal value and properties. At Maple Street Community Garden, we have hosted several food demos which showcased bitter melon. A gardener from Bangladesh sauteed the bitter melon with onions, added a dash of curry and served over a bed of rice. A gardener from Trinidad blended her bitter melon with salt fish (codfish), served cold with bread. (It also pairs well with coconut bake.) Another gardener makes tea from the leaves. Paloma (gardener in photo) is from the Philippines, where ampalaya (bitter melon) is a favorite addition to fish or vegetarian dishes. The bitter melon vine is a showstopper in the garden, lavishly growing over and along the trellis, even extending down to the ground. This particular melon is unusually large — and a keeper.

🏆 Winning produce submission: First place - Hot peppers

Hot peppers (Scotch bonnet and other varieties) have been a staple in the vegetable beds at Maple Street Community Garden, located in Flatbush in the heart of Little Caribbean, ever since its inception in 2013 and long before it became a licensed Green Thumb garden in 2019. Founding member Earl Bonas brought some seeds from his native Trinidad which he planted in several beds. Every summer, from 2020-2024, garden member Lorna Robley (also from Trinidad) would harvest peppers from the beds to hand craft bottles of pepper sauce, cranberry pepper jelly or other pepper infused treats, which we would then sell at the add-on table at Fresh Food Box on Saturdays, from June through November. The pepper is equally appealing as a subject to be photographed; I love the contrast in color between the red and green.

🏆 Winning produce submission: Third place - Greens // Callaloo

Callaloo (or bhagi) has been a constant presence in the vegetable beds at Maple Street Community Garden (MSCG), located in Flatbush in the heart of Little Caribbean, ever since its inception in 2013 and long before it became a licensed Green Thumb garden in 2019. Callaloo is regularly harvested by gardeners or visitors to make Sunday lunch or for a meatless Friday meal of bhagi rice. The callaloo bush grows full and tall and makes for a good filler in any bed. (Note, MSCG does not have individual plots or beds; all beds are communally tended.)

A special thank you to gardeners and neighbors who came out to cheer on Lorna or participate in festivities. We appreciate you taking time out of your busy weekend to represent MSCG.

All photos and contest entries were submitted by MSCG coordinator, Arlene Roberts.

MSCG earns Awards and Ribbons at 45th Annual GreenThumb Harvest Fair