By JOHN SOUTH
For The Reporter
Starting in 2017, leaders at Christ Lutheran Church, 10055 E. 186th St., Noblesville, noted that several members had access or knowledge about growing food (urban farmers). By putting talents together, we came up with a plan to provide tomato plants and green bean seed to food pantries.
These foods are easy choices. Everyone in Indiana either grows tomatoes and brags on them or relishes when the grocery has good fresh tomatoes to buy. Tomatoes and Indiana go together – just ask Red Gold. Green beans are easy to grow and when the weather cooperates, they keep on giving and giving with multiple pickings.
We were able to partner with the Hamilton County Soil and Water Conservation District for help. They provided us with a food pantry list, and they prepared a bean seed label for the seed packets we put together. The label provides growing instructions for the bean seed.
Photo provided
Sunday School classes at Christ Lutheran Church put the been seeds in the individual packets and plant the tomato seeds in the starter pots, so the project involves all the children and adults in Sunday School.
This year, we delivered seed and or tomato plants to 18 food pantries throughout Hamilton County. Some pantries take 20 plants while others want 300 plants. We delivered over 1,900 tomato plants and 400 packets of bean seed to the food pantries.
The response we get back is that the customers really enjoy the tomato plants and bean seed. We hope this provides them with the opportunity to grow some of their own food to eat.
Photo provided