Gardening for Food Security

You need food. Your family needs food. No matter what else you have, or do without during tough times, food is a constant need. Food security is not guaranteed to the families across the 919 area in these tough economic times.

If you're doing well financial, you have no worries about food for yourself and your loved ones. You're in a great position. If you wish to help your community, certainly you can contribute financially. If you wish to help *and* gain satisfaction from your own efforts, you have the opportunity to contribute to your community by growing food to give away. Food banks, soup kitchens, and even your neighbors can benefit from your growing more food than you need and sharing it. Year-round they could use your assistance.

If money is tight, having enough healthy food can become difficult. Growing food in a garden, raised beds, or containers can provide what you need at a fairly low cost. Even in January, here in the 919 area code you can grow root vegetables and cabbages outdoors. They can grow in the cold weather and withstand frost. You can also grow indoors, with "bush" type tomatoes, peppers, and peas.

So if you're looking for a way to make your family more food-secure, or to help families in your community who are food insecture, think about growing a garden. You can get started now, or start planning for a Spring Garden.

Tags: food, garden, grow, share

1 member likes this

Comment by Kay Whatley of Grow And Share on January 25, 2012 at 10:34pm: Cathy, the NCSU Extension Service has some materials that I've found to be the most helpful! They have planting guides, NC growing info, and garden planning suggestions. For example, this planting guide: http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/hort/consumer/quickref/vegetable/plan... . The have an office, I think on Poole Road, where you can pick up printed materials (I've been told... I tend to go online instead). Good luck!