Local 4-H Club gets support from Simply Gourmet

Local 4-H Club gets support from Simply Gourmet
Mike Polasek, left, owner of Simply Gourmet, presented a check to Cornell Cooperative Extension Dutchess County 4-H Program Leader Jane Rodd after holding a three-day pop up sale with the proceeds going to the 4-H Club. Photo submitted

MILLBROOK — In this new world of pandemic and need, there are things people depend on: the generosity of others, kindness and caring from strangers, and the hope that the youth of today will help support a brighter tomorrow. This country’s 4-H Clubs have long toiled to make that possible, and many of those young future farmers are more important than ever in helping to feed communities with healthy food choices at affordable prices. Jane Rodd is the 4-H program leader at the Cornell Cooperative Extension Dutchess County (CCEDC) in Millbrook. She was recently given a donation of an undisclosed amount from Mike Polasek, owner of the Poughkeepsie catering business Simply Gourmet, in support of healthy food and today’s youth. 

Simply Gourmet held a food pop up sale for three days in  June, with proceeds going to the CCEDC 4-H program. People came from around the region to purchase and enjoy some of the items Simply Gourmet is famous for, and, of course, to support the 4-H.

“We are all facing difficult times as individuals and as businesses,” Polasek said. “But even in these adverse times we have to continue to support our communities and our nonprofit organizations. They need us more now than ever. We chose 4-H because of the incredible educational opportunities that it provides children.”

4-H members learn to work with agricultural products and livestock, and then present what they have learned to the public. Some of those presentations, including their annual involvement in the Dutchess County Fair, will not take place this year because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The health crisis has also curtailed the club’s fundraising efforts.

Polasek said that was one reason he wanted to contributed to the local 4-H Club.

“We hope that our donation brings joy to the membership by helping to continue their programs,” he said. 

Simply Gourmet opened in 2008 and tries to use mostly local ingredients, which means it works closely with local farms and other purveyors. It hopes to continue its relationship with the 4-H, and to celebrate farms, food and community long into the future.

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