This spring, Covid-19 caused Clay County residents to look at their food sources in a new way.  With grocery stores running out of staples that should have been in abundant supply, Clay Countians took decisive action by planting gardens.  Home vegetable gardening in the past was just part of what you did each spring and summer, however in recent years that knowledge and experience has left many that used to raise gardens and many do not have any knowledge and experience with home gardening.  With the ANR Agent fielding over 54 calls from residents this spring with various questions on home vegetable gardening, a two prong attack was developed for Clay Countians to have access to fresh vegetables.  The first part of the plan was to direct Clay Countians to the Clay County Community Farmers’ Market where fresh vegetables were being sold.  The second part of the plan was provide gardening grab and go bags to new gardeners so that they would have information and seed to get them started gardening on their own.

The Clay County Extension Office promoted the Clay County Community Farmers’ Market often through social media as an outlet for local food.  The Extension Office advertised that the market had WIC and Senior Coupons for those that fit into those categories.  The coupons allowed seniors and WIC recipients to get additional dollars to spend on fresh vegetables.  The Clay County Community Farmers’ Market in conjunction with Community Farm Alliance participated in the Double Dollars Program meaning that WIC and Senior Coupons could be doubled at our market and recipients would have even more money to spend on vegetables.

The grab and go bags furnished gardeners with seeds, a gardening calendar with helpful hints as well as recipes that would help new gardeners know how to use vegetables in cooking.  Residents receiving the grab and go bags reported that they felt more confident in using the vegetables raised in their gardens using the gardening calendar and recipes.

Covid-19 has dramatically changed the way that residents look at fresh local food.  The home gardening surge seen this year will continue in the future as Clay Countians take charge of their food supply.