Bedford Giving Free Sunflower Seeds To Show Community Resilience

BEDFORD, NY — The Town of Bedford is providing free packets of "Mammoth" sunflower seeds that can grow as tall as 12 feet high. Organizers said the idea behind the offer is to make a visual statement to show that the community is going to get through the new coronavirus outbreak together.

The packets of seeds are free to anyone who comes to the town offices, located at 425 Cherry Street in Bedford Hills, beginning Saturday, April 25.

The packets will be located in a marked container. People are asked to take one packet per family on an honor system, while practicing safe social distancing while at this site.

The seeds were donated by Katonah’s Kelloggs and Lawrence Hardware Store and by Conservation Board member Susan Roos.

Organizers said sunflowers are the perfect symbol for our times.

"They are tall and beautiful, bloom all summer, are one of the most prolific sources of food to our valuable pollinator insects, and will provide the grower with an abundance of edible and delicious seeds within 100 days of planting," according to a news release.

"Just think, by mid-summer, Bedford will be in full-bloom with sunflowers, visible from our streets, each showing that we, as families and as a community, are resilient, and we will get through this together," organizers said.

“We all know the problem of coming up with ways of helping our neighbors in this time of need, but must stay at home in order to stop the spread of the corona virus,” said Simon Skolnik, chairman of the Bedford Conservation Board. “Well, here’s a way each family can say: ‘We care! We Stand with You! We will get through this together!’ As florists are always telling us: 'Say it with flowers!' "

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