Since the onset of COVID-19, access to a consistent supply of nutritious foods has become a challenge across the U.S and Kentucky.

         In 2022 to assist local citizens, the ANR agent and FCS program Assistant expanded the garden kit program, by providing programming & kits to not only the Hartford & Fordsville Food Banks, but added the Senior Citizens Program, Ohio Co. Headstart, the Ohio Co. Library Learning Program. 

         The garden kits contained green bean, zuchinni squash, summer squash, cucumbers, beets, and herbs (cilantro, basil & dill) seeds, gardening publications from U.K. & KSU, SNAP publications, Chop Chop magazines for families with children, Healthy at Home newsletters, nutrition articles, recipes, and gardening calendars. We provided enough garden seeds to provide sufficient produce for a family of four. The kits were distributed to:

1. Hartford Food Bank – 779 families; 2000 total family members
2. Fordsville Food Bank – 85 families; 327 total family members
3. Hispanic Stores and Catholic Church – 225 families; 900 total family members
4. Ohio Co. Headstart Program – 4 families; 14 total family members
5. Ohio Co. Library Learning Program – 10 families; 20 total family members
6. Senior Citizens Program – 20 total participants

          The excitement generated by participating with the Food Banks the last 2 years, was the main emphasis for adding the herbs this year and expanding the reach to other groups.      

         Participants will be surveyed later this fall to evaluate the success of the gardening projects, in greater detail. 

         In conversations with Food Pantry participants during packet distribution, the participants were anxiously awaiting the seed packets/information and enjoy eating fresh produce from their garden, as well as, canning/freezing produce for winter use. Most families indicated the garden vegetables were an essential part of their diet throughout the year.

         A survey of participants is planned for this fall to measure the full impact of the “Garden Packet Program”.