The NDSU Extension Master Gardeners have not let the pandemic stand in the way of distributing free vegetable seeds to grow fresh produce for food pantries.
During the winter of 2019-2020, a program to distribute free vegetable seeds through the Fargo Public Library needed to change when the library closed in March due to COVID-19 safety regulations.
But NDSU Extension horticulturist and Master Gardener coordinator Esther McGinnis was not deterred. She developed a plan to distribute the seed to Master Gardeners to grow produce for food pantries across the state. The seed was distributed by local county Extension agents in 16 counties, and 11,787 pounds of garden produce was ultimately donated to county food banks and other collection sites.
Several other gardening programs in the Fargo-Moorhead area also cooperate with the NDSU Extension Master Gardeners to share garden produce; namely Veggies for the Pantry and Growing Together.
Veggies for the Pantry has grown steadily since its start in 2016 by Cass County NDSU Extension Master Gardener volunteers. Each year, from mid-July to the first frost of the season, the volunteers staff weekly collection points in Fargo, West Fargo, Moorhead and Dilworth, and collect and deliver directly to food pantries in the area. The collection sites are advertised widely and donations have increased from about 2,000 pounds in 2016 to more than 14,000 pounds in 2020.
Growing Together started in two Fargo churches. The program consists of six community gardens, which are maintained by more than 200 volunteers, mostly new Americans. Master Gardeners manage the program, assist the volunteers and deliver any extra produce to food pantries.
Through these and other statewide collection programs, the NDSU Extension Master Gardener program donated and delivered 38,308 pounds of produce during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.
McGinnis is encouraged by the success of these fresh produce collection efforts. “As Master Gardeners, we have the knowledge and tools to be a blessing to our communities even while maintaining social distancing,” she said.
Veggies for the Pantry will continue in 2021 and Food Pantry Grants will be available for Master Gardeners statewide to plant dedicated gardens or extra rows in their own gardens to grow produce to donate.
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