Hopewell Diner Goes Green: Aunt Chubby's Becomes Certified Wildlife Habitat

HOPEWELL, NJ — Aunt Chubby's Luncheonette in Hopewell has installed new native plant planters designed to support pollinators and has become a certified wildlife habitat through the National Wildlife Federation, the restaurant announced Wednesday.

The project was led by Jeanne DeMoss of Hopewell Valley Gardens for Wildlife, who selected and planted golden alexander, black-eyed Susans, narrow-leaf mountain mint and wild bergamot — all native species that support butterflies, bees and other pollinators. Within 24 hours of planting, black swallowtail butterflies were observed visiting the garden.

"Aunt Chubby's has been feeding the community for years, and now Aunt Chubby's can say we are feeding people and pollinators," said owner Lyn Farrugia and manager Olivia Boyle.

The certification also advances a broader community initiative. Hopewell Valley Gardens for Wildlife is working to have Hopewell Township, Hopewell Borough and Pennington Borough collectively certified as a National Wildlife Federation Community Wildlife Habitat — a designation that requires certifying individual properties including homes, businesses, schools and places of worship.

The initiative has accumulated 196 of the 225 points needed for community certification in just over a year and a half.

"We hope these planters spark conversations and encourage more people to incorporate native plants into their own gardens," DeMoss said.

Property owners interested in certifying their own land can visit certifiedwildlifehabitat.nwf.org. More information on the local initiative is available at hvgardensforwildlife.weebly.com.

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