Crawford County Farmers, Gardeners Encouraged to "Add a Row" to Fight Food Insecurity
Purdue Extension-Crawford County is inviting local farms and home vegetable gardeners to "Add a Row" and donate the produce to the local food pantries to help address food insecurity in the community. Current economic implications of the COVID-19 pandemic have made this a particularly crucial need. Food insecurity rates in Crawford County were around 13% prior to the COVID-19 crisis and food pantries and other food relief services such as community meals and grab and go meals provided at schools have had an increased utilization.
Community Wellness Coordinator, Erin Meyer, emphasizes the need for healthy food donations. “Fresh produce, meat and milk are always needed by food pantries but with the increased use of these services during this COVID-19 shutdown, they are needed even more.” Working together, Purdue Extension ANR educator, Molley Scott, along with Meyer decided to develop a campaign that encouraged farmers and home vegetable gardeners to plant an extra row with the intention of donating the produce to the food pantries.
“People are at home and some have time for new hobbies. We have seen an increased interest in home gardening and thought of combining this with an effort to fight food insecurity. After some discussion, we decided that now was the right time to launch this program.” Scott also encourages those who need extra seeds to call the Purdue Extension office in Crawford County to make arrangements to pick up the seeds.
Purdue Extension Crawford County 4-H Youth Development Educators, Gail Peitzmeier & Molley Scott, encourage 4-H members to participate as part of their community service and healthy living project. “Community Service is an important part of 4-H. So is hands-on learning. When you put those two ideas together, the result goes beyond a "feel good" experience and genuinely helps the community”.
Signing up is easy. You can use this link to register as an “Add a Row” grower: https://bit.ly/2yR6z30
If you have questions or need free seeds to get started, please call the Purdue Extension office at (812) 338-5466 or email Purdue Extension office manager, Annette Knight, at knigh105@purdue.edu. Limited number of garden seeds are available. Please call in advance for curbside pickup. Whether large or small, beginner or experienced, make plans to "Add a Row" this spring and help the community!