While the summer colors of bright red tomatoes and yellow squash are missing from the Cully Neighborhood Community Garden, the veggie stalwarts of lettuce, kale, and green onions are enjoying the cool fall air.
Local growers are donating extra produce to area food banks and emergency food services via the
“Produce for People” campaign from the Portland Parks and Recreation.
On Tuesday morning, the air was as crisp as the lettuce, as Cully gardener Darrell Sanders spent the morning washing and prepping the food.
Around three times a week for the past five years--more in the summer--he has been hauling produce to the Northeast Emergency Food Bank just a short drive away.
Housed in the basement of the Luther Memorial Church, a volunteer weighs the days drop.
“I knew we’d be close to 35 pounds,” Sanders said, eyeing the slip of paper that reads 33 pounds.
For the past 30 years Northeast Emergency Food Bank has been helping those who need it, feeding on average over 2,000 people a month.
Those who can’t afford fresh produce at the grocery store get it thanks to the community gardens around the city.
The Cully Neighborhood Garden has donated over 1,600 pounds of produce to the food bank, said Sanders.
“We’ve got two other places we donate to as well," he added.
Since 1995, Portland area community gardens have donated more than 25 tons of fresh produce to food banks and food suppliers.
With another 33 pounds delivered, the number continues to grow.
