See How Food Bank Grows Produce for Westchester's Hungry: Take a Class/ Tour

Food Bank for Westchester harvested 12,101 pounds of fresh produce at five farm sites and eight co-op farm sites throughout the county through its Food Growing Program last year. This year, the nonprofit is launching the “Gardening 101” series of classes for those looking to polish up their gardening skills, while also learning how the nonprofit organization is helping to feed children, adults and senior citizens who are experiencing hunger.

“We are entering our sixth food growing season at Food Bank for Westchester and what better way to celebrate that milestone than by inviting our community members to come inside the gardens with us and see first-hand how we grow fresh produce for our neighbors who are hungry,” said Leslie Gordon, President and CEO of Food Bank for Westchester. “Having produced an average of 50,000 pounds so far at our five main garden sites throughout the county, all of the food we grow is distributed to our partner agencies who feed our neighbors who are hungry, especially through our Mobile Food Pantry.”

The leading hunger-relief organization serving Westchester will hold the classes every Thursday in July. Participants will be able to tour beautiful gardens in Valhalla while also learning the guiding principles of Food Bank for Westchester’s Food Growing Program with Doug DeCandia, New York Times-featured farmer and Food Bank for Westchester’s food growing expert. The classes are sponsored by Stop & Shop,

During the classes, participants will get a behind-the-scenes look at the Food Growing Program, learn techniques for their own garden and plant watermelon seeds to take home and continue nurturing.

“We are thankful to our corporate partner, Stop & Shop, for helping us put together this event, which brings awareness to hunger during the summer when there is a great need, while also teaching people the fundamentals of growing nutritious food. We invite all to participate!” Gordon added.

The “Gardening 101” classes will take place on Thursdays, July 6, 13, 20 and 27 with two sessions each day, one from 3 to 4 p.m. and the other from 4 to 5 p.m. at 20 Hammond House Road in Valhalla. Admission for each class is $25, which will directly benefit the efforts of Food Bank for Westchester. Participants of all ages and abilities are welcome.

To register for classes, visit foodbankforwestchester.org/events/gardening101 and for more information about Food Bank for Westchester, visit foodbankforwestchester.org.