| A Way You Can Help Feed The Hungry in Cleveland County |
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Each day, there are hundreds of Cleveland County citizens struggling to put food on the table, and some aren’t even sure where their next meal is coming from. Maybe you would like to help. But what if you are not in a position to donate? Or what if you want to give more than just money?
Now there’s a new way to make a difference without using your cash. Foothills Farmers’ Market, which operates under tents on Washington Street in Uptown Shelby, kicks off its 2011 season on Saturday, April 30. Last year, the market started Farmer Foodshare, a program which distributes surplus foods at the end of each market day to organizations that feed the hungry in our local community. Thanks to the generosity of market vendors and cash donations from shoppers, Foodshare collected 5,044 pounds of fresh, locally-grown fruits and vegetables last year, providing an estimated 12,500 meals for hungry people right here at home.
This season, the program is being expanded to include Community Gardenshare, a new project funded by the county’s four Rotary International clubs. Community Gardenshare allows the community to raise a portion of the food that the market distributes. Anyone can participate… local individuals, families, youth organizations, senior adult groups, civic & garden clubs, school groups, or churches. Here’s how it works.
Step 1: Contact the Cleveland County Extension Center at 704-482-4365 to reserve one of 50 free Gardenshare kits, which includes easy-to-grow vegetable plants (tomato, yellow squash, zucchini, cucumber and pepper), lime, soil amendment, and a project guide.
Step 2: Start preparing your planting site, which might include building a raised bed garden, tilling a section of lawn, or purchasing large containers for your deck or patio (contact the County Extension Center for advice).
Step 3: Visit Foothills Farmers’ Market on Washington Street in Uptown Shelby during our Grand Opening on Saturday, April 30 to pick up your supplies.
Step 4: Enjoy growing delicious vegetables (some to eat and some to share) and the good feeling you’ll get from getting in touch with nature, perhaps teaching a youngster where their food comes from, and from giving back to your local community.
Step 5: When a portion of your harvest is ready to share, deliver it to Foothills Farmers’ Market any Wednesday or Saturday during the season, and we’ll distribute it to organizations that feed the hungry right here at home!
Foothills Farmers’ Market believes everyone deserves access to fresh, local food - not just those who can afford to buy it. Consider joining us in Community Gardenshare, part of our ongoing effort to end hunger in Cleveland County.
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