Gardeners encouraged to contribute to local food supply
Tuesday, November 17th, 2009
The latest U.S. Department of Agriculture numbers show more families are having trouble getting food.
In Pennsylvania, the Horticultural Society hopes a $300,000 grant will help gardeners grow produce to sell and give away to food cupboards. The money will be used to expand the urban food growing program called "City Harvest," across Philadelphia over the next three years.
Listen:
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
Program Manager Claire Baker works on community gardens with the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society's Philadelphia Green program.
She says the money will be used for things like seeds, soil, and tools.
Baker: I think acquisition to land will be a challenge. The first round of growers in the Grower's Alliance either need to own their land or have a letter of person from the owners of the land.
Baker says a wide variety of gardeners can apply including: individuals, families, and groups from community gardens. She says gardeners will be able to sell their produce wherever they choose: including on their own, at area farmers markets, and to restaurants.