Garden Photo of the Day

A Food Bank Garden in North Carolina

Today’s photos are from Ellen Kirby in North Carolina. We toured her garden back in 2012 (refresh your memory HERE.)

Today she says, “Here is a collection of photos from our Food Bank Garden in Winston-Salem. We plant flowers throughout the field to attract pollinators and to beautify the garden.

Last year we had about 300 volunteers, including the most active ones who helped an average of two hours a week. We harvested over 5000 lbs. in 2013 and 10,000 in 2012. Weather does make a difference.

I think this is a good example of how to grow vegetables and melons and how to make a difference for hungry people. Our area has one of the highest percentages of child hunger in the USA. Our garden has been growing since 1998 and was one of the first gardens for a food bank in the country. Everything we produce goes to Second Harvest Food Bank which then distributes to 8 counties in northwestern North Carolina.”

Thanks so much for the follow-up, Ellen! I so admire you for this entire endeavour. It’s fruitful AND beautiful!

Want to share your garden? Email me at [email protected]. Thanks! –Michelle

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Comments

  1. GardenGrl1 06/13/2014

    That is incredible! I think the desire to feed people is inside of every veggie gardener, and what a wonderful way you have fulfilled yours! Planting flowers in the garden to attract pollinators is a really great way to open that discussion with the non-gardening public.Great idea using such beautiful flowers! 10,000 pounds of fruits & vegetables feeds a LOT of people! Congratulations on helping to end food insecurity in your county!

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    meander_michaele 06/13/2014

    Your area is very blessed to have you and your fellow volunteers take on this important work, Ellen. I suspect that a lot of helpful information on nutrition (expressed subtly so as to not scare anyone off) accompanies those fruits and vegetables and everyone is better for it.Your inclusion of flowers for beauty as well as for attracting pollinators is a great idea.

  3. foxglove12 06/13/2014

    Fabulous endeavor!

  4. gregorylingram 06/13/2014

    i am so proud and honored to know you...you have inspired me

  5. GrannyMay 06/13/2014

    Thanks for sharing, Ellen. Kudos to you and all the other volunteers who give their time and expertise to help others.

  6. thevioletfern 06/13/2014

    As part of a community garden in the past, I sure do appreciate the work of your volunteers. It certainly isn't any small task. Beautiful people create beautiful things.

  7. perenniallycrazy 06/13/2014

    Hats off to you Ellen and all your volunteers for your hard work and altruism! This is gardening at its finest.

  8. davsav 06/14/2014

    Wonderful work for a great cause.

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