Jody wants her growing family to start eating healthier and realizes the importance of local food. Unfortunately, their yard is too shaded for a garden. When Jody learned that garden plots were still available in the New Hope community garden in Emergency Foodshelf Network (EFN)’s front yard, she immediately expressed interest. Jodie’s experience growing produce is limited to tomatoes in pots, but she figured her and her partner would give it a shot. After all, they live within walking distance to the garden.
Jody and Charlie are experimenting the first year of their garden by planting a variety of fruits and vegetables to see what grows well. They look forward to teaching their growing family (they have a two year old and a four-and-a-half year old) about growing their own food.
Jody, Charlie, and the New Hope community garden is part of a growing trend. According to the Garden Writers Association, vegetable gardening is up 20 percent and community gardens have increased 60 percent over last year.
This year is the first growing season that the community garden is in EFN’s front yard. The garden was developed and is run by Hope Grows, a community-based organization, with a volunteer board and sponsored by the city of New Hope. Funding from Active Living Hennepin County and Statewide Health Improvement Program (SHIP) helped the garden get started. EFN is leasing the land to Hope Grows for $1 a month.
The garden includes 24 individual plots adopted by community residents and six communal plots adopted by organizations and groups. The communal plots are dedicating half of the fresh fruits and vegetables for programs at EFN and other non-profit organizations. The price for a plot, which measures about 10 feet by 12 feet, was $20 for the growing season.
Learn about other EFN partnerships that are working to deliver more produce to neighbors in need.
