Free Veggies-Floyd County now starting its fifth year

To The Press

A program for gardeners to share extra produce, called Free Veggies-Floyd County, is beginning its fifth year in Charles City.

Originally funded by a Growing Together Iowa grant through the Floyd County Extension, this year the program will be operated with small monetary donations from local businesses.

Susan Jacob, a Floyd County Master Gardener who has organized the program each year, explained that the Growing Together Iowa grant is funded by the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), and the federal government now requires that only SNAP recipients are eligible.

“Over the past four years everyone who came to the Saturday produce giveaways in August and September could receive the free vegetables,” Jacob said. “Since Free Veggies-Floyd County receives donated produce from area gardeners, the vegetables are free to anyone who stops by, not just SNAP recipients.”

Free Veggies-Floyd County cooperates with Messiah Food Pantry in Charles City to accept any produce that is left at the end of the Saturday distributions. Local gardeners can also drop off vegetables at either the Extension Office or the food pantry during the week.

“Local gardeners are encouraged to donate vegetables that they grow,” said Jacob. “Seed potatoes, onion sets and garden seeds will continue to be available from the Extension.”

On Monday, April 15, gardeners can stop by the Floyd County Extension Office at 112 North Main St. to pick up free vegetable and flower seeds, available on a first come, first served basis. As part of Extension Week, a Master Gardener will be on hand that day to answer questions from 2 to 4 p.m. Seed packets will continue to be available through Extension during spring planting season.

Jacob reminded gardeners that the Clark Street Community Garden plots are available for rent through the Charles City Chamber/Main Street Charles City office.

“Half of the 24 in-ground beds at the Clark Street location are available rent-free if gardeners donate the produce to the Messiah Food Pantry or Free Veggies-Floyd County,” she said.

In addition, 15 standing garden beds are available free for families who would like to try gardening and raising their own produce. Assistance from Master Gardeners is available to beginning gardeners to help them decide what to plant and how to grow vegetables.

The plots will be available for planting after April 15.

Call 641-228-4234 to reserve a garden plot or raised bed.