We have our own version of fantastic fungi at LSSNY’s supportive housing residences!
Not only have mushrooms gotten their due in the award-winning Netflix documentary of the same name, but one of our residents, Mina Sekine, has been testing out a mushroom home grow kit she obtained through our partnership with the city’s Health Bucks program.
Health Bucks are $2 coupons that can be used to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables at all New York City farmers markets.
This partnership is helping our residential participants eat healthier foods. LSSNY’s supportive housing program distributes Health Bucks at group gatherings such as art, morning coffee, and bingo.
Says Mina, “This kit is not food but may produce [your] own freshest tasty mushroom at your home. Is this amazing, right?”
Before she discovered the mushroom grow kit, Mina used her Health Bucks to buy fruits and vegetables. “One day I got white peaches and plums,” she reports. “It was hard at purchase day but I waited 3-4 days [until it was] fully ripe. It was really juicy and surprisingly sweet.” She says she had never eaten such “tasty peaches in [her] life.” She adds, “Then I bought [them] again and again [and] I got addicted to peaches. Another day, I got kale and beets and carrots and apples so made homemade cold press juice. This is very good for my health [with] plenty of vitamins and minerals to consume. This juice is also tasty and very easy,” she says.
Mina is ahead of the curve as most people resolve to eat healthier when the new year begins.
Bravo, Mina!
Read more about Health Bucks: https://www.nyc.gov/site/doh/health/health-topics/health-bucks.page