“Eat well and do good!” was the little announcement I saw in the bulletin at Our Lady of the Assumption parish in Claremont. It was a brief article basically mentioning that Uncommon Good, a local charity, sold vegetables four days a week at their new location at the back of the Claremont United Methodist Church property. That, however, was enough to peek my interest. So I called my mum, and with the promise of stopping at our favorite ice cream shop afterwards, got her to come along to check it out a few weeks ago.
Now I realize driving out to Claremont to get a few vegetables, even if they are locally grown and organic, is a bit much. But if you do find yourself in the area consider taking a moment to stop by as there is more to the story than just fresh, local produce.
In a way it was a mini walk through our SLEs. From the vegetable proceeds helping to feed the hungry and educate low-income students for college, to the first of its kind Whole Earth Building, to showing respect for the local San Gabriel Band of Mission Indians whose ancestors had first settled on this site thousands of years ago – this was Catholic Social Teaching in action.
At school we not only recite our SLE pledge every morning at assembly, we also show our kids how to live them out through all subjects and activities we do at school. And living out the SLEs is what struck me most as Uncommon Good director, Nancy Mintie, showed my mum and I around. Our school theme for this year was staring me in the face – yes, you can make a difference.
Click on the link below to learn more about Uncommon Good, their unique earth building, and how they arrived there from their original location in the old convent at Our Lady of the Assumption.
Tours of the earth building are available if you call ahead. My mum and I lucked out that we caught the folks there at a good time and they graciously gave us a walk around the grounds and I was able to learn about the place to pass this along.
Uncommon Good is located at 211 W. Foothill Blvd, Claremont, Calif., behind the United Methodist Church. The church is set back from the street a fair distance – you will probably see the Pacific Western Bank first.
Vegetables are available M,W, Th, 9-5 and Tues 9-7. Call ahead to find out what is available that day, the selection changes seasonally – 909 625 2248.
As for the ice cream, my mum and I did stop for a scoop and enjoyed it very much. Bert and Rocky’s ice cream shop, as well as The Cheese Cave (a half block from the ice cream shop) are only 2 miles from Uncommon Good and, they too, are worth a stop if you’re passing by Claremont. A wedge of artisan cheese will go nicely with the veggies from Uncommon Good. Both of these friendly, knowledgeable shops are located in Claremont Village. Supporting small, local businesses also fits with our SLEs.
Bert & Rocky’s, 242 Yale Ave, Claremont, Calif. Hours M-Th 11-9; F 11-10; Sat 10-10; Sun 11-9:30.
The Cheese Cave, 325 Yale Ave, Claremont, Calif. Hours Tues – Fri 11-7; Sat 11-6; Sun 10-3; closed Mon.