Rooted In grows access to nutritious food

By Eva Westein

Contributing Writer

GREEN BAY – Rooted In Inc., a local organization dedicated to strengthening the health and wellness of the Greater Green Bay community, is working to fight food insecurity and food waste.

The organization — established in June of 2023 — boasts three different programs designed to cover all areas of the community that may be in need.

These programs include “Nourishment for All,” “Chef’s Table” and “Jackson Elementary — Seed to Table School.”

Recently, Rooted In Inc. has begun partnering with other groups in the community to maximize their impact.

On June 6, they found support for their Nourishment for All program through a partnership with Associated Bank for the company’s day of service.

Volunteers from both Rooted In Inc. and Associated Bank came together to make meals for their Cooking for the Community project. These meals were then donated to food pantry partners at Trinity Lutheran Church ELCA, NWTC Shared Harvest and The Fridge at the Fisk Addition.

“I truly believe that none of us can make a huge impact unless we work together… to build those relationships and give [Associated Bank’s] associates time, for me, it’s the most important thing to give them an opportunity to serve their community, especially with something that they’re passionate about,” said Rooted In Inc. Founder/Executive Director Selena Darrow.

Associated Bank and Rooted In made a total of 371 pounds of meals during their day of service.

The impact that this partnership has had is so great that it has exceeded Associated Bank’s initial day of service.

Rooted In and Associated are now moving forward together to put on a takeout container drive that will further support the meal-making program.

According to Darrow, Rooted In receives such an abundant amount of food donations that the bulk of expenses for the organization come from spending money on containers for their meals to go into.

A container drive is meant to help further mitigate these costs.

Not only have Rooted In Inc.’s partnerships led to unexpected benefits for the organization itself, but some Associated Bank employees have been impacted as well.

Marta Ehlert-Cisler, after being inspired by Rooted In’s Cooking for the Community project that took place on Associated Bank’s companywide day of service, has continued to volunteer with her family for additional meal-making.

“I was immediately impressed by what Selena and her organization had accomplished in just over a year, especially what they are doing to put healthy food in the hands of those who need it most. Since the Day of Service, I have continued attending the Cooking for the Community events and included my husband and our teenagers. We look forward to spending time together each month cooking and packaging meals and being a part of the difference Rooted In is making in our community to fight food insecurity and mitigate food waste,” she explained.

For more information, contact Selena Darrow at 920-676-7506 or selena@rootedininc.org, or visit www.facebook.com/rootedininc.org.

If you would like to contribute, visit https://donorbox.org/rootedininc.