A Quad City nonprofit is highlighting area gardens in an effort to expand participation in its GIFT Garden or Growing Illowa Food Together program.
“The idea of GIFT Gardens is that we can provide a place for you to donate that excess produce to where it goes to people who need it most. So people who are experiencing food insecurity,” Education and Outreach Specialist for Tapestry Farms, Mitchell Walker said. “So we set up a network of food pantries and other types of distribution sites. That if you give us the produce, we'll get it there, or you can donate directly to those places and they'll get it out to the people who are in need.”
Walker said the organization is starting a new series this summer focusing on four gardens, showcasing growing season efforts to community members. The series is called “Breakfast in the Garden,” which Walker notes is to celebrate the hard work of community growers.
“And in addition to it being a fun party for people to go to, we also wanted to highlight some of the really cool growing operations that are happening in and around the Quad Cities so that people could take a look at what's happening there and then use those ideas to implement into their own growing spaces back at home,” Walker said.
The first garden highlight was at Dave’s Garden, 5520 Eastern Avenue in Davenport Friday morning, June 26th.
The garden has been managed by grower Dave Phillips for the last 25 years. Walker said Philips is joined by a dedicated group of volunteers.
“And they distribute to over 25 different food pantries here in the area,” Walker said. “But he's got a really special operation out there. So we wanted to highlight that and be like, you know, come on out and take a look at what this guy's done over these last few years and share his knowledge with other growers.”
Walker notes this program is especially important following cuts in funding to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or SNAP. He said tens of thousands of Quad Citizens are food insecure and more than half of them don’t qualify for SNAP.
“So not only are people not able to access those benefits, but the other types of charitable food system resources that were previously stocked with produce are no longer getting an influx of produce because of canceling of programs like Local Food Purchasing Agreement,” Walker said.
The GIFT Gardens program is a partnership with River Bend Food Bank, as well as the Iowa State University Extension office and the University of Illinois Extension office.
“Produce is kind of already rolling in. We've already harvested a little bit from the Floreciente Garden. I know Tapestry's got a bit going too,” Walker said. "But the real underscoring thing here is that the need for fresh, locally grown produce is a lot higher now than it ever has been.”
July 24, 8-10 a.m.: Iowa State Extension Office, 785 Tanglefoot Lane, Bettendorf, IA
August 28, 8-10 a.m.: Floreciente Community Garden, 4th St & 5th Ave, Moline, IL
September 25, 8-10 a.m.: Tapestry Farms Orchard, 715 4th Ave, Rock Island, IL
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