Spring is here . . . and with it comes longer days, warmer weather, and nature’s rejuvenation.
On a recent sunny day in March, we were excited to see our amazing volunteer garden crew hard at work, planting seeds for early spring crops. The first harvest will be sometime in June, providing to our clients fresh greens, leafy vegetables such as lettuce and bok choy, and root vegetables such as turnips and radishes. The gardeners plant vegetables that our clients said they’d like to see offered in the Circle food pantry.
Lack of access to fresh, nutritious food can result in serious health issues for many people living near or at the poverty line. It’s estimated that 48 million Americans live with food insecurity, and nearly 1 in 5 children lack access to reliable food. (Source: Feeding America.) Dependence on calorie-dense processed food leads to increased rates of obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease.
At Circle of Concern, we approach the need for healthy food holistically. Thanks to our dedicated team of volunteer gardeners and donations from other community gardens, we offer homegrown, fresh food in our pantry. Our staff nutritionists are a resource for recipes and meal plans. And our pantry volunteers are a kind and compassionate” front line,” helping our clients shop and keeping our pantry shelves stocked.
We’re excited to watch our Circle garden grow thanks to the talented volunteers who know how to tend a garden, amend soil, and plant seeds. Because of their expertise and hard work, and with donations from nearby community gardens, our clients can enjoy a bounty of fresh vegetables in the summer.
In the video, volunteer gardener Larry Quick talks about collaborating with Circle of Concern’s nutritionists.
