According to 2019 research from FeedingAmerica.org, 11.4% of Kenton County’s population is food insecure or approximately 18,960 people and 59% of the county population is SNAP eligible. (FeedingAmerica.org) “A survey according to Bonnie Plants suggested that 20 million Americans planted a vegetable garden for the first time during the COVID-19 pandemic and that younger generations are gardening, with nearly two in five Americans under 35-years-old growing food.” (Vinu.edu) With disruptions to supply chains causing shortages, an increase in the cost of food, and a general resurgence in interest in gardening at home, we at Kenton County Cooperative Extension believe our providing seeds will give even more reason to try growing food at home to help close the gap on food insecurity in Kenton County which amounts to an annual food budget shortfall of $10.2 million. (FeedingAmerica.org)

For the first time in three years, our cooperative extension service was able to offer seeds in person once again to Kenton County residents. Seeds were donated from nine companies across the USA which were then divided into categories including the specific type of vegetable, flowering annuals, etc. The seeds were brought to four different locations on weekends and evenings, including the three, county library locations in Erlanger, Independence, Covington, as well as the Covington farmer’s market. We were able to distribute and provide growing information with help from 18 master gardener volunteers. Approximately 167 people were provided 2,004 packets of seed during this 4-day giveaway.