Hunger-Free Minnesota launches program for gardeners to donate extra produce

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Hunger-Free Minnesota has launched “Good to Grow,” a program to increase fresh produce donations by individual and community gardeners. The program is part of the organization’s goals to help close the missing meal gap in Minnesota. The program also aims to support good nutrition by expanding the supply of fresh fruits and vegetables available to those who are on limited incomes.

While Hunger-Free Minnesota is also working on programs to encourage farm surplus donations, “Good to Grow” brings this initiative to the individual.

“We want to make it easy for individuals and community gardeners to participate in fighting hunger in our neighborhoods,” said Ellie Lucas, chief campaign officer for Hunger-Free Minnesota. “We want to make sure those extra tomatoes, squash and carrots never go to waste. No donation is too large or too small.”

The program, supported by partner Minnesota Public Radio, includes the following elements:

1. Commit to Share – Gardeners are encouraged to visit the Hunger-Free Minnesota website and commit to donate at least five pounds of produce this year to an area food shelf or food sharing site. Five pounds of produce is the equivalent of 4.1 meals.

2. Matching Garden Bounty with Need – The Hunger-Free Minnesota website will offer a matching service by zip code for gardeners to find a food shelf, meal program or food bank where they can donate their extra produce (whether it’s close to home or cabin).

3. Free Garden Produce Bag – The first 200 who pledge to donate garden excess will get a cotton recyclable “Good to Grow” garden bag.

4. Harvest Tips – Hunger-Free Minnesota will provide garden harvest/donation tips throughout the balance of the summer/fall harvest season.

5. Spread the Word – Gardeners are asked to share their photos of donations and produce through social media channels, such as Facebook and Twitter for Hunger-Free Minnesota and to consider growing for those in need next year.

Matching in advance is important because of the limited shelf life of fresh fruits and vegetables.

“You need to know where to go when your bean crop is ripe and you are heading out of town on vacation,” explained Lucas. “Our goal is to make sure there’s a plan to donate that’s practical.”

Minnesota Public Radio (MPR) is supporting the program with its employees and through public service announcements and programming.

“Our ability to reach a statewide audience easily helps the ‘Good to Grow’ campaign engage gardeners across the state with this simple and powerful message,” added Ali Lozoff, group marketing manager, Minnesota Public Radio – American Public Media.

At the food shelf/meal program level, Hunger-Free Minnesota will support the program by providing marketing materials and also offering additional information on how to use produce such as kale, rhubarb, etc.

“Good to Grow” will also be featured at the Minnesota State Fair under MPR’s tent by the Grandstand on Aug. 31. The State Fair is the perfect setting for talking about the upcoming fall harvest as gardeners from across the state gather to show off their produce and see the fruits of others’ labors.

“We’ll be matching gardeners with their neighbors in need. It’s hard to think about hunger when you’re at the fair, but there are people who are food insecure in every single county of our state,” said Lucas “Even if you only

grow a few plants in your backyard, you can make a difference. We want your extras.”

Hunger-Free Minnesota is a coalition of community leaders and citizens, nonprofit agencies and organizations.

The primary goal of Hunger-Free Minnesota’s three-year campaign is to close the 100 million missing meal gap in Minnesota.

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