Nearly 5,000 pounds of produce from our garden donated in 2021

The Food Justice Garden harvested close to 5,000 pounds of produce for local food pantries in 2021, topping last year’s harvest by nearly 300 pounds.

Some highlights from the garden in the last year:

• Parishioners donated nearly 1,000 pounds of produce from their own gardens, making up about one-fifth of total donations to local food banks.
• Volunteers helped install new fencing.
• The top crops for the year include squash, tomatoes, greens, zucchini and okra

Going into the next decade, the Food Justice Garden needs new volunteers and leaders who bring the ministry into the future and eventually replace our aging gardeners. Those currently driving this ministry are in their mid to late 70s. Leading the garden into the future is a particularly good fit for retired people. Most retirees moving into the area are moving into townhouses with no land of their own to dig in.

So who is a good fit for this ministry? Anyone who enjoys being outdoors, really. Families, individuals, groups within other ministries, those with time off during the week, homeschooled young people, teens and tweens – all are welcome in the garden.

In particular, our garden is a family-friendly place. Families are always welcome along with their children. Children are eager workers and can be fascinated as they learn and watch how their food grows. Organizers suggest spending at least one Saturday morning a month growing as a family in this vital ministry.

Come out and join us on any of our workdays, Tuesdays and Saturdays, beginning at 9 a.m. Or contact Bobi Gallagher or Joan Novak to learn more.