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The Garden Management System Copyright (c) 2004 HMK Consultants.
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How to Plant a Row, Grow a RowYou've heard of Plant a Row, surely. Of course you have. It's that program where gardeners plant an extra row of veggies and donate it to feed the hungry. Great idea. But you thought it was only for farmers? Or people with large gardens? Well, them too, but it's a program for anyone who plants vegetables and just might have some left over.
What's needed?
What's the minimum donation?Minimum donation is one. One anything. Of course, it's easier for the agency distributing the food if you have more, like if you have a dozen tomatoes, or a bag or two of beans in excess, and you won't eat them. But truly, they'll be glad to get just one, if that's what you've got.How do I prepare my donation?Harvest your veggies, wash off the soil, trim the excess leaves, etc., and bring 'em in.That's it. Where do I take it?Call your local food bank, and ask where to take your donation. If you can't find a food bank in your area, then Kathryn Sim of the North York Harvest Food Bank will help you find a drop-off location near you. While Ms. Sim is in the Greater Toronto Area, she has contacts just about everywhere, not just the GTA, and will be glad to help you find an agency that needs your food. You can email Kathryn at (don't worry, she's expecting your emails):As well, food banks have partners and large donors, such as Whittamore's Farm, The Forsythe Family Farms and Reesor Farm Market, that will glady accept your drop-off donations at certain times of the year. Always call and check first, though. Will the food bank pick up my donation?Most of the time, the food banks don't have the resources to come around and pick up our individual donations. They do have drop-off points all over the place, though, where they have scheduled pickups. Call your local food bank to find out what arrangements they have in your neighbourhood.In Southern Ontario, some of the organizations that will appreciat your donation are: The North York Harvest Food Bank - telephone 416.635.7771 Daily Bread Food Bank - 416.203.0050 FoodShare - 416.392.6653 Hamilton Foodshare Ontario Association of Food Banks Ottawa Food Bank Second Harvest Waterloo Region Food Bank York Region Food Network How fast is the food distributed?The food banks try to distribute fresh produce almost immediately, because nutritionally, it's best when it's fresh. Many food banks or distribution centres make special deliveries of fresh produce. That's why you cannot always just drop off at the local fire station. In most cases, only non-perishables should go there, where they may wait up to a week for pickup by the food bank on a regular pickup run.How do I encourage others to donate?Show them your cool row markers, like those provided, courtesy of Scotts Canada, through Plant A Row, Grow a Row, and distributed by organizations like the North York Harvest Food Bank, to anyone who brings in a donation. Oh, they know you don't need the markers in order to participate, but still, they are kind of cool...Want More Plant a Row Information?Composting Council of CanadaPlant a Row, Grow a Row (PARGAR) Toronto Food Policy Council Canadian Social Research Links (an exhaustive set of links to local, national and international sites) Helen Kirkup is a Master Gardener, freelance writer and developer of The Garden Management System, gardening software to help you grow your garden. Email your comments to hmkstaff@hmk.on.ca |
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HMK Consultants Website Copyright (c) 2003 HMK Consultants. All rights reserved.
The Garden Management System Copyright (c) 2004 HMK Consultants. All rights reserved.