Sharing Garden Harvest with Those In Need

The summer of 2011 has left us with a terrific harvest. My garden is swimming with fresh vegetables, herbs and edible flowers. We’ve eaten like kings. We’ve passed along produce to our neighbors and friends. So, it seemed only fair if we shared some of this garden surplus with those in need too.

Photo copyright Kevin O’Connor.

According to Ample Harvest, one in six Americans (including a quarter of kids under 6 years old) aren’t eating fresh foods. That’s why we decided to donate our garden surplus to City Light Home for Women and Children in Boise.

City Light Home for Women and Children, Boise

The non-profit organization provides free meals and shelter to thousands of homeless women and children, as well as counseling, addiction recovery programs and other important services. In 2010, this hardworking center provided more than 96,000 meals to women and kids. I figured they could use some vegetables and herbs from my garden for a couple of those meals.

So, I loaded up a basket of produce, including heirloom eggplants of all types, tomatoes and peppers, as well as bunches of oregano, basil, thyme, spearmint and parsley. Then, I threw in a bag of green tomatoes, in case the cooks were craving some fried green tomatoes too.

Garden-fresh vegetables and herbs to share with others. Photo copyright Kevin O'Connor.

As I dropped off the bag at the center, it felt good to know that some of my homegrown produce was going to be served in upcoming meals. But I’m certainly not alone.

According to the Garden Writers Association, more than 14 million pounds of vegetables and herbs have been donated to the hungry by U.S. gardeners since 1995. It’s a generous effort and a great start, but there is a big need as well.

Hunger is a serious problem in the United States. More than 43 million Americans (half of which are children) now rely on food stamps for their daily needs, reports the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Unfortunately, that number is getting worse with our current economic situation.

Meanwhile, I’ve decided to plant a row for the hungry next year. If you’d like to do the same, consider these tips:

• Call first to see if the organization would like your food donations. If it can’t use your garden surplus, it can tell you who might want your food instead.
• Find a local pantry if you have garden surplus to donate. That way you can provide produce straight from the garden when it’s needed. Help from Ample Harvest.
• Consider starting a local program with this advice from the Garden Writers Association.
• Read more about how your garden can fight hunger, from Judi Gerber in Care2.com. You can also find Judi on Twitter at @LAFarmGirl.

Learn about City Light Home for Women and Children. And about hunger in America.