By Lindsey Cox—
Re-routing excess produce to those who could use it most
MUNCIE, IN—Have you figured out what to do with the abundance of zucchini and tomatoes your garden is producing? Look no further. You can donate your excess garden produce to 16 sites in Delaware, Blackford, and Jay Counties. Those community organizations will make sure the produce gets to our neighbors who can use it most.
The Food Council of East Central Indiana, through the Healthy Community Alliance (HCA) coalition associated with our IU Health regional hospital system, has launched the Grow-a-Row campaign.
Grow-a-Row is a national program that works toward purposefully growing or donating excess produce to those who need it most by creating and enhancing community produce partnerships. The Grow-a-Row program focuses on planting, picking, rescuing, and delivering free, fresh produce to community partners who will then distribute it to our neighbors in need.
Many thanks to the 16 participating drop-off/distribution partners and to all the gardeners who have already expressed interest and will donate this season.
Download the list of drop-off/distribution sites from the HCA website at https://www.healthycommunityalliance.org/content/sites/iuhealth/Grow-a-Row_2022_sites_revJuly21.pdf.
Or reach out to John Disher at jdisher1@iuhealth.org, 765-747-3915.
The Food Council of East Central Indiana meets monthly on the 4th Tuesday from 4-5pm via Microsoft Teams, and you’re invited. To join the virtual meeting, contact John Disher for the link.
Lindsey Cox is a Community Wellness Coordinator serving Delaware and Blackford Counties and consulting in Randolph and Jay counties through Purdue Extension – Nutrition Education Program. She is a lifelong resident of Randolph and Delaware counties, and loves this community and the amazing people here. If you’d like to connect, write to lecox@purdue.edu.
