Fighting Hunger
One Garden at a Time
Each year, thanks to your support, our food bank
rescues and distributes over 320,000 pounds of
produce for our region’s non-profit agencies and
families in need. But it never seems enough.
Use at our region’s emergency meal programs (food
shelves, soup kitchens, and shelters) and our food
bank’s own direct service programs have increased
37% in the last two years making it difficult to keep
up with demand.
In April, entrepreneur and Duluth resident Scott
Vesterstein approached our food bank with a unique
idea. “What if we helped people grow their own
produce?” he asked. With a donation of twenty
container gardens by Scott and his Sydney’s Green
Garden business our partnership began.
Gene Johnson McKeever, one of our Nutrition
Assistance Program for Seniors (NAPS) participants
was one of the first people to receive a garden kit and
soil donated by Engwall Florist, Garden and
Greenhouse.
“I grew my own food right in my backyard,” she said.
“It supplemented my income and I had a sense of
accomplishment, success and happiness. It was a
good project.”
Gene, like many people in our region find it expensive
to eat healthy purchasing fresh produce on a limited
income. “I have especially saved money on spinach
which I eat weekly,” she explained.
She said that Scott’s enthusiasm for gardening was
“contagious.” “It’s rather fun and my garden didn’t
take much time at all,” she said. “My daughter-inlaws
are now also inspired to grow their own gardens
next year and provide more vegetables for their
children.”
If you are interested in sponsoring an individual or
family like Gene next spring, please feel free to
contact our food bank (218) 727-5653 or
email info@northernlakesfoodbank.org.
For more information about container gardening and
Sydney’s Green Garden
www.sydneysgreengarden.com.