The food bank is fighting hunger in our community with better nutrition – locally grown, fresh food from our Raised Bed Gardens.
For the 70,000 people in Chester County who lack the funds to buy the food they need, fresh produce is now available to them through our local food cupboards.
Our Raised Bed Garden program is 100% volunteer based. Volunteers from all over the county have partnered with our cause, constructing and tending to gardens. Their harvest is gathered and distributed to the local food cupboards where, along with non-perishable food items, residents who are hungry can get the food they need.
We Help Groups Make and Impact
Volunteer groups include local schools, churches, social organizations and businesses. The Chester County Food Bank worked with each organization to build, fill, plant and harvest produce. In 2009, the Food Bank started with just 25 beds at six sites. Today we have 537 gardens at over 118 sites, including 42 schools. In 2012, through these gardens, we were able to grow over 130,000 pounds of fresh produce that was distributed to our network of 30 cupboards and 61 meal sites.
The good work of our gardens reaches so many people. Here is news report from ABC about our gardens. (click here)
Get Involved this Spring
The growing season is a 28 week period and provides weekly gardening enjoyment for the families, social and work groups that care for a raised bed garden. The food bank staff can provide you with all the help you need to start a garden. Click here for a brochure about our raised bed gardens.
If you questions or would like to get involved in the program, please contact our raised bed garden manager Mary Kay Peterson.
