Earth, Wind and Fuego: A Poughkeepsie Kitchen Cooking Hope

Poughkeepsie Eatery Brings Great Food, With A Helping of Hope!
Earth, Wind and Fuego: A Poughkeepsie Kitchen Cooking Hope
My first encounter with Earth, Wind and Fuego was from the Think Dutchess Innovation Challenge 2019, held recently and based on learning of their mission; I decided to try the food and share their story. As a Hudson Valley native who wasn't aware of the initiatives that Hudson River Housing has made in the Poughkeepsie Underwear Factory, a historic factory building, I was amazed once I walked inside. As Lindsay Duvall, Manager of Advocacy and Community Engagement for Hudson River Housing mentions in the video, Earth, Wind and Fuego are creating employees, both for themselves and others with more than a dozen trainees graduating and serving in the food industry.
Madeline Henriquez and Jen Herman founded this woman-owned business in 2017, as both of them saw in their social service and support careers a need to launch an initiative that helped others. Earth, Wind and Fuego are committed to breaking down the barriers to help individuals that may have physical, mental or society based roadblocks, gain employment and serve our local communities. While I was saddened that I didn’t get to meet Manny C., their first graduated employee, I was able to meet Sylvia J., their second graduating employee, who appears in the episode and shares about her experience.
Located in the Poughkeepsie Underwear Factory, sharing a space with North River Roasters, a local Hudson Valley Coffee Roaster, and other supported businesses, Earth, Wind and Fuego has an open floor plan design on the first floor. Starting as a meal prep company, they have expanded quickly taking on catering, and opening the kitchen as a full-service eatery serving breakfast and lunch.
The Food:
The first time I went, I was greeted by the hostess, placed my order, (the Bacon Blue Burger with roasted potatoes) and promptly seated myself. I opened my laptop and sipped some of the delicious coffee while I waited for my food to arrive.
I was buzzed to the counter pretty quickly, grabbed my food, and sat to eat. The Bacon Blue Burger was cooked to perfection, and the complement of the pork bacon and their signature EWF burger sauce created a delicious burger combo. The roasted potatoes were also cooked and seasoned just enough to compliment, but not hide the flavors,
Breakfast is served all day and the lunch options of sandwiches, burgers or soup will fill any hearty appetite.
Fiesta Fridays:
Jen Herman mentioned their Fiesta Friday, which is an evening of arts, food & entertainment to build community within the Poughkeepsie Underwear Factory. The open-mic is hosted by 2017 & 2018 Dutchess County Poet Laureate "Poet Gold", and the menu features different cultural highlights of the City of Poughkeepsie through collaboration with local chefs and business owners. (see the sample flyer below). Jen expresses that, "through art, we cross social boundaries and build connections."
The Employee Mission:
The mission behind Earth, Wind, and Fuego is to build inclusive and open training to disadvantaged and poverty-stricken areas locally here in the Hudson Valley. A worthy cause to rally behind to help our local area. While there, I was able to see Jen Herman working with a trainee.
The passion that both Jen and Madeline have to help build up those that need it, is truly inspiring. Program graduates, Manny and Sylvia, are shining examples of a helping hand and a person willing to use it to move ahead!
Local Partnerships:
They value their local relationships. Pork bacon from Jacuterie in Ancramdale, NY, beef from Roxbury Farm in Kinderhook, NY, and chicken and eggs from Yellow Bell Farm in Red Hook are all from our Hudson Valley. They are also proud partners with the Poughkeepsie Farm Project, Dutchess Outreach, Farms2Table and Red Barn Produce for locally-sourced produce. Even their bread is sourced from The Gluten Free Bakery in Chatham, NY.
Just a small sample of their partners:
Mill House Brewing Company (Fiesta Friday)
Angry Orchard (Fiesta Friday)
Jacuterie
Roxbury Farm
Poughkeepsie Farm Project
Dutchess Outreach
Yellow Bell Farm
The Gluten Free Bakery
Farms2Table
Pete's Grrr-nola (Hudson River Housing Project)
Samascott Orchards
Hudson Valley Cattle Company
JSK Cattle Company
Key Partners:
Hudson River Housing
BGW Arts LLC.
2017, 2018 Dutchess County Poet Laureate Poet Gold
Dutchess Pride Center
The Art Effect
PUF Studios
City of Poughkeepsie
Fall Kill Creative Works
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Your Ramblin' Hudson Valley Guy,
Sean