Effingham County Master Gardeners are making a difference in the fight against hunger in the Effingham community. University of Illinois Extension Effingham County Master Gardeners recently received funding to donate produce back to the community.
Growing Together Illinois is multi-disciplinary program focused on increasing access to fruits and vegetables in identified Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Education networks to help food-insecure families. The Illinois program is administered by Illinois Extension’s SNAP-Ed team working in partnership with Extension’s Illinois Master Gardeners. Through this collaboration, SNAP-Ed funds are provided to build or expand food donation gardens.
“According to Feeding America, in 2018, 3,130 (9.2%) Effingham County residents experienced food insecurity meaning the lack of access, at times, to enough food for an active, healthy life,” says Michelle Fombelle, SNAP-Ed Extension Educator.
Food pantries provide much-needed relief for food-insecure individuals and families, but pantries often rely on donations of canned and packaged foods with limited nutritional value. Growing Together Illinois aims to provide fresh produce to food pantry clientele across the state.
“The program donates fresh fruits, vegetables, and herbs to the pantries. The overall goal is improved food access, but we also provide nutrition education and other support,” says Fombelle.
Produce is grown in community gardens run by volunteers with assistance from Master Gardeners who bring knowledge and expertise on planning, planting, maintaining, and harvesting. SNAP-Ed staff assists community partners in establishing a sustainable food donation system by assisting with nutrition policy and providing education on usage, recipes, and suggestions for bundling with other meal items.
“This funding will help the master gardeners grow and harvest a variety of vegetables to be shared with the food pantries in the area. We hope to be able to bring fresh vegetables to many tables in the area that otherwise would not have any available. We hope to be able to share our mission of “Helping Others Learn to Grow” throughout the community,” says Linda Heynen, Effingham County Master Gardener.