Food Banks Ask Gardeners to Grow Extra for Hungry

[marmar]

AP, via CommonDreams:



Food Banks Ask Gardeners to Grow Extra for Hungry
by Clare Trapasso


LANGDON, N.H. — Sharon Crossman hadn’t tasted fresh fruits or vegetables in a week. Since her husband had two heart attacks and stopped working, she has relied on disability checks and the free food provided by a food pantry.

But lately, the only fresh produce available at the Fall Mountain Foodshelf where she volunteers has been shriveled potatoes and sprouting onions.

Pantry director Mary Lou Huffling expects that to change soon, as she has begun asking local gardeners and farmers to grow extra rows of produce to donate.

“Almost everyone around here has a garden,” said Huffling, who also runs a program that delivers meals to the hungry in this rural part of southwestern New Hampshire. “If they would grow a row for the food program and the Friendly Meals program, it would help so much.”

At least 50 families have responded to Huffling’s request and she thinks about 100 will end up participating. In July, she expects to feed fresh vegetables to 100 to 130 families each week.

“People have been very excited about it,” Huffling said.

She has learned that her idea and even the name she chose for it, Grow a Row, are not new.

Sharp increases in food and fuel prices and the shaky economy are creating alarming shortages at food banks and pantries around the country at the same time that demand is surging.

Programs like Plant a Row for the Hungry, a national campaign that encourages gardeners to grow extra produce for donation, and New Jersey-based Grow-a-Row, are similar to Huffling’s.

“Because of the rising food costs and gas costs people are unable to buy what they need,” said Carol Ledbetter, program administrator of the Virginia-based Garden Writers Association, which began sponsoring Plant a Row for the Hungry in 1995. “There’s a greater need for the food and so our program is even more important.” ......(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.commondreams.org/archive/2008/06/09/9502/

[Tandalayo_Scheisskopf]

1. Just like the golf...

I think it's time for Dear Leader to give up eating anything but Ramen for the hungry and poor of this nation.

I know, I know...as fuckin' if.

[kestrel91316]

2. I have heard that some food banks reject homegrown produce as

somehow "suspect" or substandard and therefore insulting to the poor. Wouldn't surprise me.

[ellie]

3. What a great idea!

We were going to plant a garden but only succeeded in getting the tomatoes in.

[yellowdogintexas]

4. what a great idea for overabundant produce..

I don't have the right kind of sun conditions for a garden, too much shade