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The Senior Connection (www.seniorconnectionidaho.org) with its relationship with Dick and Melinda Springs, Mardi Shepard and Peggy Grove's “Giving Farm” has earned recognition as Climate Action Leaders by the Climate Action Coalition of the Wood River Valley.  

Teresa Beahen Lipman, the Senior Connection Executive Director, working with her staff, has developed a program that helps meet the needs of our valley’s senior citizens and has adopted a number of sustainable practices as a part of that organization.

Teresa Beahen Lipman.jpeg
Teresa Beahen Lipman
Important group shot-first collard green

*Giving Farm Produce *

Mardi Shepard, Chef Brian, Dick & Melinda Springs

Through the generous donation of garden produce, local farmers Dick and Melinda Springs, with the tireless assistance of Mardi Shepard and Peggy Grove, have allowed Senior Connection Chef and Nutrition Director Brian Ahern to create delicious meals that have both been served in-house and delivered to over 700 senior citizens in the Wood River Valley.

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Chef Brian Ahern in his kitchen

Through creative menu planning, Chef Brian has been able to reduce food waste. Using local food, donated from the Giving Farm, Chef Brian creates nutritious meals for seniors and sends the compostables back to the Giving Farm where they will add to the richness of the garden soil. Instrumental in this recycling process is Facilities Manager Eliseo Gonzalez.

Eliseo Gonzalez, Facilities Manager & Tr
Facilities Manager 
Eliseo Gonzalez
Soup made with local ingredients.jpeg
Delicious soup
made from local, leftovers

Additional environmentally friendly practices:

  • Sustainable in-house products (ceramic/reusable plates, reusable utensils, reusable glasses)

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Teresa Lipman holding eggplant from Giving Farm – reusable plates, bowls and silverware in background

  • Food preservation through canning, drying etc. is practiced to extend harvest season into the winter.

  • During winter months orders food from regional supplier (Nicholas and Co. in Salt Lake).

  • Installed on demand touchless sensor faucets.

  • Working with Idaho Power to add LED lighting.

  • Using ambient light as major lighting for facility.

  • Thermostats regulated and controlled digitally by Jovita Pina, our Associate Executive Director

  • Uses appropriate low water plantings for foundation plantings.

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