Years ago my son’s friend was at our home hanging out. This kid may have been in 6th or 7th grade, and he said something referring to dinner that struck me as odd. So I asked him a couple more questions before I realized that he was quite hungry. I asked him if he’d had anything to eat that day, and he said that his dad didn’t have any money and there was nothing to eat in their house.

Then he said, “It’s OK. My brother and I drink sugar water, so we’re not hungry.”

Wait . . . what?

Aside from the many reasons that fruit and vegetable gardening is so good for us personally, we’re also capable of sharing the bounty with others—which is also very good for us.

Most of the gardeners that I know experience at least some overabundance when it comes to their gardens and may find it challenging to put it all to good use. Sharing vegetables and other produce with the community is an eye-opening experience for the whole family.

Fresh food can be offered to extended family, friends, co-workers, and neighbors. But beyond the obvious, millions of Americans are going hungry on a daily basis in our own neighborhoods. Don’t believe me? Call a food pantry near you and ask for numbers, or ask the school district to tell you how many kids in your area eat only one meal a day—the one they get at school.

I’m not trying to depress you; I’m just trying to let you in on something that you may not have realized was going on all around you. I had no idea that my son’s friend and his brother weren’t eating.

I was going to share some statistics, but I tend to find them rather cold. I don’t think that statistics allow you to feel painful stomachs. But I will mention that millions of children in the United States suffer from chronic undernutrition, the underconsumption of essential nutrients and food energy. We’re all aware that nutrient deficiencies can lead to serious health problems, including impaired cognitive development, growth failure, physical weakness, anemia, and stunting.

But forget impaired cognitive development. People are hungry. People shouldn’t go to bed hungry.

Where to Bring Extra Produce (or Any Other Food)

• Your local food bank or pantry. Ask local food banks if they take fresh produce (many do, some don’t). Bring your kids.

• A local church or community group. In town, we have a church group that servers dinner to anyone who needs it every single day—365 days of the year. They need fresh food. You may have something similar that’s put on by a church or other community organization. Find out.

• Local senior center. Senior centers might be thrilled to receive fresh produce! They might also need some help preparing meals. What if you planted a garden with them?

• Plant a row for the hungry. This is a wonderfully simple yet effective food program, and I hope you’ll check it out. The Garden Writers Association Foundation has a program called, “Plant a Row for the Hungry.” This program has already supplied over 14 million pounds of produce to those in need throughout the United States and Canada. Guess how they did that? Yup, one gardener at a time. Look them up and find a PAR campaign in your area. All you do is plant one row of veggies that’s specifically for sharing with a food panty. If you’re interested in starting a Plant a Row for the Hungry campaign in you area, please contact the Garden Writers Association Foundation.

This growing season, consider feeding your community.

Fine Gardening Recommended Products

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High Quality Fabric - Gardzen Garden Waste Bags are made from 4.4oz/yd2 (150g/㎡) durable polypropylene fabric that can withstand heavy loads and rough handling. Please note that they should not be left out in the sun for long periods. Environmentally Friendly - These reusable yard waste bags are an environmentally friendly choice as they can be used over and over again, unlike disposable bags. The strong handles make it easy to carry the bags, even when they are full. These garden bags for debris allow you to complete your gardening tasks efficiently and effectively, while minimising waste and promoting sustainability. Large Capacity - With a height of 30 inches and a diameter of 26 inches, there is plenty of room for a large amount of garden waste. Whether it's leaves, branches or grass clippings, these yard waste containers can handle it all. A Must-Have For Gardeners - these leaf bags are an essential tool for managing garden waste and can make your gardening tasks much more efficient. The large capacity and durable construction make them ideal for storing and transporting various items. The yard bags can also be folded and stored compactly when not needed, saving valuable space. Package Included - A great value set of 3pcs heavy duty lawn and leaf bags. 3pcs white plastic hoops. There are 2pcs double stitched webbing handles in the top and 1pc strong webbing corner handles in the bottom.

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Coco Bliss 650gm Bricks (5-Pack) - Organic Coco Coir

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Pre-Rinsed & Pre-Screened Coco Coir - Every block of our coconut fiber substrate has been screened multiple times through an extremely small filter to get rid of any traces of fiber, sand, and rocks. This is what sets our coco coir apart, giving you pure and clean coco coir for plants, unlike others who don’t filter their coco coir for impurities.

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Flat Soaker Hose 75 150 FT for Garden Beds

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Consistent & Even Watering Drip Irrigation Hose: Makes use of a clog-resistant fabric cover recycled vinyl for consistent slow soaking seep throughout its entire length. Deliver water to the entire area that it covers. Only certain areas of your garden bed getting watered. For waste-free watering in garden beds and other tight spaces. Waters the base of the plants so less water-related leaf damage. Linkable Garden Soaker Hose For DIY Irrigation System: End to end connectable drip water hose, flexible versatile Above-ground or bury it below a up to 3-inch layer of mulch or soil; this fit with garden hose threads and come with rust resistant end caps that make it possible to connect multiple hoses and works well with timers. Maneuverability And 100% Environmentally Friendly Drip Hose: Double layer design PVC Covered With Extra-Strength Fabric material protect from sun damage than rubber weeping hose; ensure the longevity of the soaker hose, which is ideal for you using it regularly through all seasons in your garden. Made of 100% environmentally friendly recycled vinyl, pass CA65 test, water is safe for ground which makes it perfect for use with vegetables, herbs, and other edible plants. Easy To Store Flat Soaker Hose: This irrigation drip hose flat design is kink-resistant, lies flat makes it a breeze to roll up and store for next season.The flat shape also makes it simple to snake under existing plant growth. One-Year Warranty on Flat Soaker Hoses: Ensure a water pressure of 40-90 psi for best results—hot water is not suitable.

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