Vegetable Project in Albany, NY

Watching Mom and Dad tree swallows feeding their young from maybe 25 feet away is just one of the amazing opportunities available to Stephen and Harriet Myers Middle School students who get out to the garden at this time of year. And no, the YouTube version is not the same thing. Thanks to our friend Michelle Patka, visual art teacher at Myers, for this image.

But this particular treat does not last long. A week? Maybe two. And then the birds move on.

That getting dirty is good for our health is well documented. See, for example, https://www.nytimes.com/2024/04/17/well/live/dirt-health-benefits.html.

So gently nudging kids to touch soil with bare hands is a big part of what we do, such as during our after-school Garden Club at Stephen and Harriet Myers Middle School every Tuesday.

We are willing to bet, as well, that adults putting hands and knees in the dirt with kids similarly contributes to the health of intergenerational relationships, though we are still looking for research that backs this hunch.

And we got loads of hot-weather plants into the soil at this week's Garden Club!

The Vegetable Project extends the warmest thanks to Friendly Pizza Albany, at 485 Delaware Avenue in Albany, for generously contributing to our ninth annual Evening in the Garden on Tuesday, May 5, the one dish that satisfies some of our most discerning friends. Whether procuring by the slice or catering important events, connoisseurs know that Friendly Pizza will satiate demanding tastebuds.

In addition to In addition to Friendly Pizza, contributors to the 2026 Evening in the Garden were the Albany High Culinary Program, Allie B's Cozy Kitchen, Cafe Capriccio, Caffe Italia Ristorante, Curry House, Dove + Deer, Emack & Bolio's Ice Cream, Albany, NY, Honest Weight Food Co-op, Kismet Mediterranean Grill, Paesan's Pizza and Restaurant, Pearl’s Bagels & Bakery and Ruby City.

The Vegetable Project, which builds teaching and learning around doing and touching and tasting and experiencing, is so grateful for the many food establishments that help it tell its story every year at its open house/celebration of getting kids outside and getting their hands dirty. What better way is there to build community around supporting kids than sharing tastes of passionate cooks?

There appear to be a couple of new families in the neighborhood -- that is the neighborhood of garden at Stephen and Harriet Myers Middle School. The young ones have not been out in public yet. But the repeated flights to and from the wooden houses sure appear to be feedings by the elders. Welcome!

The Vegetable Project could not be prouder to count Kismet Mediterranean Grill, at 1116 Madison Avenue in Albany, as a friend and say many, many thanks for contributing sumptuous food to its ninth annual Evening in the Garden on Tuesday, May 5. Kismet, where Mediterranean flavors meet good vibes, is quickly building a reputation around the region for great tastes and gracious service.

In addition to Kismet Grill, 2026 contributors to the Evening in the Garden were the Albany High Culinary Program, Allie B's Cozy Kitchen, Cafe Capriccio, Caffe Italia Ristorante, Curry House, Dove + Deer, Emack & Bolio's Ice Cream, Albany, NY, Friendly Pizza Albany, Honest Weight Food Co-op, Paesan's Pizza and Restaurant, Pearl's Bagels & Bakery and Ruby City.

The Vegetable Project, which builds teaching and learning around doing and touching and tasting and experiencing, is so grateful for the many food establishments that help it tell its story every year at its open house/celebration of getting kids outside and getting their hands dirty. What better way is there to build community around supporting kids than sharing tastes of passionate cooks?

A moment of plain old luck Thursday morning: We just happened to be with with a class at our garden at Stephen and Harriet Myers Middle School, when a tour group of fifth graders from Giffen Memorial Elementary School came by. We turned our attention to the visitors, who will be coming to Myers for sixth grade in the fall, and showed them around and offered a few tastes for a minute. Can't wait to actually meet these kids one at a time!

Pearl’s Bagel’s & Bakery, in the Crestwood Plaza in Albany, helped set the stage for the Vegetable Project’s 10th annual Evening in the Garden next year with its amazing delicious contributions to the ninth go round on Tuesday, May 5. And we are thankful for that. A must-start-the-day-at scratch bakery and to-go café, Pearl’s was crafted with patience, love and its community in mind.

In addition to Pearl’s Bagels, contributors to the 2026 Evening in the Garden were the Albany High Culinary Program, Allie B's Cozy Kitchen, Cafe Capriccio, Caffe Italia Ristorante, Curry House, Dove + Deer, Emack & Bolio's Ice Cream, Albany, NY, Friendly Pizza Albany, Honest Weight Food Co-op, Kismet Mediterranean Grill, Paesan's Pizza and Restaurant and Ruby City.

The Vegetable Project, which builds teaching and learning around doing and touching and tasting and experiencing, is so grateful for the many food establishments that help it tell its story every year at its open house/celebration of getting kids outside and getting their hands dirty. What better way is there to build community around supporting kids than sharing tastes of passionate cooks?

A huge thanks goes to Honest Weight Food Co-op, at 100 Watervliet Ave. in Albany, for its spread of beautiful looking and wonderful tasting food at the Vegetable Project’s ninth annual Evening in the Garden on Tuesday, May 5. As long-standing a friend as the Vegetable Project has in this world, Honest Weight is committed to providing the community with affordable, high quality natural foods and products for healthy living.

In addition to Honest Weight Food Co-op, contributors to the 2026 Evening in the Garden were the Albany High Culinary Program, Allie B's Cozy Kitchen, Cafe Capriccio, Caffe Italia Ristorante, Curry House, Dove + Deer, Emack & Bolio's Ice Cream, Albany, NY, Friendly Pizza Albany, Kismet Mediterranean Grill, Paesan's Pizza and Restaurant, Pearl's Bagels & Bakery and Ruby City.

The Vegetable Project, which builds teaching and learning around doing and touching and tasting and experiencing, is so grateful for the many food establishments that help it tell its story every year at its open house/celebration of getting kids outside and getting their hands dirty. What better way is there to build community around supporting kids than sharing tastes of passionate cooks?

The Vegetable Project is so grateful to Paesan's Pizza and Restaurant, at 289 Ontario Street in Albany, and other area locations, for contributing to our ninth annual Evening in the Garden on Tuesday, May 5, the delicacy that discriminating eaters everywhere savor. Whether buying by the slice over the counter or shipping nationwide, sophisticated diners know that Paesan’s will satiate demanding tastebuds.

In addition to Paesan’s, 2026 contributors to the Evening in the Garden were the Albany High Culinary Program, Allie B's Cozy Kitchen, Cafe Capriccio, Caffe Italia Ristorante, Curry House, Dove + Deer, Emack & Bolio's Ice Cream, Albany, NY, Friendly Pizza Albany, Honest Weight Food Co-op, Kismet Mediterranean Grill, Pearl's Bagels & Bakery and Ruby City.

The Vegetable Project, which builds teaching and learning around doing and touching and tasting and experiencing, has great appreciation for the many food establishments that help it tell its story every year at its open house/celebration of getting kids outside and getting their hands dirty. What better way is there to build community around supporting kids than sharing tastes of passionate cooks?

Thanks, thanks, thanks to Emack & Bolio's Ice Cream, Albany, NY, at 366 Delaware Avenue in Albany, for contributing delectable desserts to the Vegetable Project’s ninth annual Evening in the Garden on Tuesday, May 5. Home to Albany’s sweetest vibes, Emack & Bolio’s array of ice cream flavors is a sight to behold.

In addition to Emack & Bolio’s, 2026 contributors to the Evening in the Garden were the Albany High Culinary Program, Allie B's Cozy Kitchen, Cafe Capriccio, Caffe Italia Ristorante, Curry House, Dove + Deer, Friendly Pizza & Deli, Honest Weight Food Co-op, Kismet Mediterranean Grill, Paesan's Pizza and Restaurant, Pearl's Bagels & Bakery and Ruby City.

The Vegetable Project, which builds teaching and learning around doing and touching and tasting and experiencing, is so grateful for the many food establishments that help it tell its story every year at its open house/celebration of getting kids outside and getting their hands dirty. What better way is there to build community around supporting kids than sharing tastes of passionate cooks?