University teaches free gardening course for food bank patrons

[image credit: Oregon Live]

Fresh produce is expensive when you’re on a budget

For many people on a budget, or for those who live in a food desert, fresh produce can be difficult or prohibitively expensive to find. They may turn to the local food pantry for assistance, but fresh fruits and vegetables are often the scarcest commodity available there as well.

Solution: Local university teaches neighborhood to grow fresh produce

Two parishioners of a church in Corvallis, Oregon, started a vegetable garden to generate fresh food for the local food pantry. After seeing how much others enjoyed helping out in the garden, the founders formed a partnership with a nearby university to start a free gardening class to teach local residents to grow their own gardens. They then coordinated with the food bank to invite patrons in need to join the course, and learn how to grow some of their own food at home.

Program founder Jennifer Klammer said “It’s especially hard for low-income folks to get high-quality produce. It’s expensive. But if you can grow a salad bowl on your deck and it’s easy, why not?”

Read More

• Oregon Live | Seed to Supper program: Free courses on growing veggies

Limitations & Criticisms

Few people have the time or willingness to travel to a university campus and enroll in a gardening course

• Provide gardening instruction right at the food bank, even at the time of service