An initiative is underway to get residents in Delaware and Pennsylvania to grow fresh produce to share with those most in need.
The Delaware Center for Horticulture (DCH) and the Food Bank of Delaware are partnering again with the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society (PHS) for their Harvest Initiative.
Delaware Center for Horticulture executive director Vikram Krishnamurthy says last year they collected 44,000 pounds of fresh produce to address food insecurity.
He says with so many people still in need because of the pandemic, they are increasing their outreach.
“We’re connecting with our audience of gardeners who may already be growing, already do grow vegetables for themselves and we’re encouraging people to either plant additional, harvest additional to donate to local drop-off sites that are convenient to them; to really just help with making these connections between fresh fruits and vegetables, the people that are growing it for themselves and the people who really need it,” said Krishnamurthy.
Krishnamurthy went says they hope to get more Delaware gardeners involved this year.
Krishnamurthy notes cucumbers, zucchini and tomatoes are always plentiful in summer backyard gardens up and down the First State and can be donated easily.
“The goal of the Harvest Initiative is to really sort of get everyone rowing in the same direction when it comes to food donations and supporting people’s needs.” said Krishnamurthy.
According to Feeding America, there were 140,000 food insecure Delawareans last year; this year that number is still estimated to be at 114,000.
