Plant A Row for the Hungry

[The Useful Gardener]

The Plant A Row for the Hungry program is a fresh food iniative
encouraging home gardeners (and local farms) to donate excess produce
from their gardens to local Food Banks, shelters and food kitchens.
We already know that one of the things frequently missing for families
in need is fresh food - processed food is easier to obtain and easier
to store and it is usually less expensive than fresh vegetables and
fruits. The Plant A Row (PAR) program works to offset that lack
during the gardening seasons by asking you to drop off extra
vegetables and/or fruits from your garden so that they can be given to
needy families and used in shelter menus.

This year our regional Food Bank network is trying to supply more
families than ever, thanks to the financial crisis and the resulting
job layoffs and foreclosures. That means anything you can contribute
from your garden will be appreciated more than ever.

The Chesapeake Master Gardeners have already arranged a drop-off site
near the Chesapeake Municipal Center and I have those details on the
UsefulGardens.com website. I'll continue to add more locations and
information as I receive it. Meanwhile, please keep the PAR program
in your thoughts this summer as you admire those plants full of food.
We can make a difference.

[william....@jfcom.mil]

Thanks for the great opportunity to help. Do you know if there will
be a drop off point in the Virginia Beach area as well?

[The Useful Gardener]

Thanks, WL - It's my understanding that there will be a collection
point at the Virginia Beach Farmers Market on Dam Neck, in
conjunction with the demonstration vegetable garden that the VB Master
Gardeners are installing behind the market. I'll check with the VB
Food Bank and see if they have information yet on what days and what
times. When I find out, I'll post it here on the group and on the
website.