Growing in Seattle: Gardeners in city's neighborhoods give meal programs a lift

[depakid]

Instead of fighting hunger with grocery-store handouts, some see part of the solution in gardens, apartment balconies and front yards.

Over the past five years, the amount of fruit and vegetables grown or harvested in Seattle neighborhoods for food banks and meal programs has doubled to more than 44,000 pounds.

Though just a fraction of what fuels the emergency food pipeline, it will help meet unprecedented needs this summer, given rising prices and lines of low-income people that have ballooned since the holidays.

"It's really key to our success," said Rick Jump, executive director of the White Center Food Bank, which has seen its weekly demand increase by nearly 40 percent in the past several months. "We're all out there striving to find resources."

Soon, the food bank will start getting apples and plums from West Seattle yards -- part of a neighborhood fruit tree harvest program pioneered four years ago by Solid Ground, a social service organization.

There will also be fresh vegetables from gardens worked by Community Harvest of Southwest Seattle, a new volunteer group also offering canning, gardening and tree-care classes at senior centers and local grocery stores.

"We're trying to increase access to local fresh fruits and vegetables, not only by providing them, but also by teaching people how to grow and preserve their own," said founder and West Seattle resident Aviva Furman.

More: http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/365498_farmbank03.html

[gateley]

1. This is WONDERFUL!

Especially since the cost of fresh fruits and vegetables is out of reach for many people these days. Go Seattle! :yourock:

[JohnWxy]

2. Recommended!

[Dover]

3. Hurray! Hope this catches on in other cities...n/t