“We aim to change how people think about food, to change eating habits, and to ensure that healthy food is accessible and equitable.”
Growing Gardens’ Food Project Farm, supported by the Community Foundation, is in full swing, and set to donate thousands of pounds of produce to thousands more low-income families and individuals this season.
“Last year, we donated some 9,000 plant starts and 16,000 pounds of fresh produce to more than 15,000 individuals in Boulder County,” says Vanessa Keeley, Executive Director of the Boulder-based nonprofit established in 1998. “We’re gearing up for an even bigger year, mostly due to the growth of our Longmont Food Project Farm, which – in partnership with the YMCA of Boulder Valley [also a foundation grantee] – allows us to farm an acre of land behind the center.
“We started in Longmont last year, and we’re excited to better reach that community, including a great community of kids, connecting them to healthy foods at an early age.” To help get its Longmont programming off the ground, Growing Gardens is seeking individuals and groups to volunteer on the farm, as well as sponsors to help support their efforts.
All told – with just eight full-time and two part-time staff – Growing Gardens relies on an army of some 900 dedicated volunteers who donate upwards of 6,000 hours’ service to carry out its primary mission: “To connect members of the community with each other, with our land, and with healthy food,” says Vanessa.
“From young babies and young children, to teens, adults and seniors, we have programs for every age group,” she continues. Indeed, Growing Gardens is in a long-term partnership with Timberline PK-8 in Longmont offering kids hands-on experience tasting and eating fresh vegetables – in the winter-time, too.
“We aim to change how people think about food, to change eating habits, and to ensure that healthy food is accessible and equitable,” Vanessa says. “That’s why 64% of whom we serve are low-income community members.
“And we’re not just talking about giving away food. When we donate plant starts to low-income gardeners, our staff educates community members about how to grow tomatoes, cucumbers, zucchini, and more. We answer questions and do what we can to ensure their success – and their empowerment – in growing food.”
Learn more about Growing Gardens’ community classes, community gardens, children’s peace garden, Cultiva Youth Project, and horticultural therapy programming.
