Giving Garden

Fresh, organic produce is probably the least available food for those who need it most.  Low-income populations often rely on cheap, often outdated processed food and disproportionately suffer from diet-related health conditions as a result.  Food banks are an obvious place to turn when in need, yet food banks are at the mercy of corporate and community donations.  In this economy and season, donations are low.  The donations that do come through are more of the same processed substances that are produced by our toxic agricultural system.   What would it be like if those who need food assistance had access to fresh, local produce that is nourishing rather than depleting? 

In 2007, Bastyr’s Giving Garden program was launched in an effort to both provide organic produce to meet a community need as well as build a connection between nutrition students and the garden.  Isn’t it funny that out of all those with their hands in the garden over the years, very few have been nutrition students?  The garden is the basis of nutrition.  We can’t have healthy food unless we have healthy soil. 

Our modest Giving Garden is comprised of nine vegetable beds in the larger Bastyr University Garden.  Through an application process, four nutrition students are chosen each year to tend the beds and all of the produce is donated to food banks near our school.  In the first year we donated 350 pounds of produce and last season we donated almost 500 pounds!  This spring, we just made our first delivery of beautiful lettuce mix and have rows of carrots, onions, potatoes and bok choy growing right on schedule.

As you are planning or planting your garden this summer, I encourage you to grow a row (or nine) for your local food bank.  What a wonderful way to support the health of your community.