Dear Friends, 

And all of a sudden its September. And there is something familiar about it all... but it is a September like no other. 

The kids are back in school, but with masks and distance and-- at least around here-- some form of hybrid of in person and online and with limited contact between students that is the result of lots of work (and is a lot of work to maintain!). We headed into Fall grateful for teachers and custodians, paraeducators and administrators, bus drivers and specialists who are all working so hard. And we are grateful for kids who are excited enough about being back at school that they don't mind (so much, yet) wearing masks all day!   

Here in Connecticut our sun is hazy and we feel connected to all those struggling to breath along the West Coast as wildfires rage throughout cities, towns and farm lands. We are mindful of farmworkers (working to care for livestock and land with and without legal status in the U.S.) and fire fighters (free and trained or incarcerated and not trained) who continue to labor outside despite the danger and the horrible air.   

At FRESH, we are headed into the Fall with masks firmly in place and with trepidation, small steps and a healthy dose of "well see" (and Vitamin C) added in for good measure. 

Our work is important and we are here to do it. 

In this issue of our Newsletter, we'll hear from the intrepid young people who participated in our social distance Crew Program this summer. We look forward by inviting you to help us in our Fall Volunteer Days and we share some updates on staffing and plans for the Fall.