Humanity House
The Humanity House Community Garden is going gangbusters. Strange weather this spring slowed production a little, but with frequent rains and hot temperatures, everything is coming into its own. This may not seem like newsworthy information. However, for many low income, elderly and disabled people and families, it is very important.
When we go to the grocery store and are able to purchase a variety of produce for our family, we are likely to put it in the cart, roll our eyes at the prices and forget about it. For those living on fixed income and in poverty, fresh produce is mostly forgotten. Dinner plates are filled with the cheapest meals possible, and produce isnt one of those things. Canned vegetables are sometimes even more than a person can afford. Good nutrition is lacking in most homes where poverty is a way of life.
Fresh For You produce distributions gives everyone the opportunity to add fresh produce to their diet. In the previous two years we have grown and given away 14,000 pounds of produce. Making it possible for families and individuals young and old to add fresh vegetables straight from the garden to their diet has become very important to us. It is also important for those who participate in the program. Some have health issues that benefit from quality food. We have people with cancer, diabetes, heart issues and other illnesses who because of financial difficulties, arent able to purchase foods that are beneficial for them.
For some, the produce distribution allows them to stretch their budget so they are able to make meals for a month. For others it stretches their dollars enough that they are able pay other bills or purchase fuel for their vehicles.
We provide recipes for the produce and have something made from the garden for our friends to try. The fun really starts when people start sharing their family recipes for things like fried green tomatoes, tomato preserves, zucchini pie, and patty pan squash. We have learned there are a million different ways to make pickles.
Like every other Humanity House program, Fresh For You is free and open to everyone regardless of income. We welcome everyone who would like to try a new kind of produce. If you have a recipe to share or have grown produce of your own that you would like to share with others we welcome your contributions.
Fresh For You happens every Friday at 6 p.m. at the little Humanity House garden on the corner of Jefferson and Jackson. We hope to see you there. Kindness matters!
