I thought it was appropriate to mention this relationship after reading in Angela's Northern California Garden Blog about a how gardeners in Seattle are encouraged to donate surplus harvests to their local food bank.
The Elk Grove Community Garden and Learning Center where I maintain a plot is operated under the umbrella of Elk Grove Community Food Bank Services.
About 25 percent of the 4-by-16-foot planting beds are dedicated to families who use the Food Bank. They may "adopt" a plot to cultivate as they like.
The Garden being in its infancy however, I'm not sure if any families have come forward to claim a stake.
In the meantime, those plots are gardened by volunteer members for two reasons: to serve as demonstration plots and to provide fresh produce to the Food Bank located behind the Parks & Rec. offices at 8820 Elk Grove Blvd.
Currently many of the plots are filled with thriving squash and tomato plants donated by the Horticultural Department of Cosumnes River College.
All gardeners are encouraged to donate surplus to this cause and bins for this purpose are located in a common area. About twice weekly, produce is delivered to the Food Bank by one of our members.
Originally the garden was affiliated with the Elk Grove Community Services District however working with food bank services became a more viable and obviously more logical partnership.
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