SPRINGFIELD, Mo. —Ozarks Food Harvest’s Full Circle Gardens program will distribute more than 10,000 Garden-To-Go Kits this spring to help families facing hunger in the Ozarks grow their own food. The Food Bank received a donation of more than $1.4 million worth of seeds from Baker Creek Heirloom Seed Company along with contributions from Seed Savers Exchange, The Buffalo Seed Company, Territorial Seed Company, Burpee Seeds and other local retailers. The total seed donation is valued at more than $1.5 million.
The Food Bank will distribute their Garden-To-Go Kits through its network of 270 faith-based and community charities as well as other Feeding America food banks in Missouri. Individuals seeking a kit can visit ozarksfoodharvest.org/need-help to contact the hunger-relief charity closest to them. They may also contact Ozarks Food Harvest’s Full Circle Gardens team at 417-864-3411 ext. 154 or fullcirclegardens@ozarksfoodharvest.org.
“Our Garden-To-Go Kits wouldn’t be possible without the generous help of our donors and volunteers,” said Alexa Poindexter, director of Full Circle Gardens at Ozarks Food Harvest. “These kits help families learn about their food, grow skills, and work towards our mission to end hunger in the Ozarks.”
Ozarks Food Harvest staff and volunteers will sort, assemble and pack the kits every Wednesday through February. Each kit contains seeds for a flower, herb and eight different vegetables. To make planting easier, the kits also contain a specific planting calendar with links to gardening instructions and budget-friendly cookbooks.
The Full Circle Gardens program began in 2014 as part of Ozarks Food Harvest’s strategic initiative to increase fresh produce distribution. Today, The Food Bank collaborates with dozens of local partners, 51 produce donors and distributes more than 100,000 seed packets to the community every year.
The Food Bank has many opportunities to get involved this season to help families in the community have more access to fresh produce. For those who have their own garden, you can plant an extra row and donate the harvest to The Food Bank. If you have a large garden, farm or orchard, you can contact the Full Circle Gardens team at fullcirclegardens@ozarksfoodharvest.org to harvest and collect your donation.
For more information about volunteering or donating produce, visit ozarksfoodharvest.org/volunteer.
About Ozarks Food Harvest — The Food Bank
Ozarks Food Harvest is the Feeding America food bank for southwest Missouri, serving 270 faith-based and community charities across a third of Missouri. The Food Bank reaches over 70,000 individuals monthly and provides more than 21 million meals annually. Learn more at ozarksfoodharvest.org, facebook.com/ozarksfoodharvest or instagram.com/ozarksfoodharvest.
