The horticulture agent and nutrition education program/EFNEP assistant partnered to offer gardening items and recipes to participants who use assistance through local food banks. Master Gardeners put together 900 bags that were given out while families pick up items from the food bank.

            Each family received a bag with numerous gardening publications, seeds, and recipes along with a survey that asked numerous questions to ensure items were used. Many survey participants were family-based, and 100% have planted or plan to use the seeds provided and plan to eat the vegetables grown.  86% of participants planned to persevere some of their vegetables grown to use in the future.

            The program was successful as 92% of survey participants have used or plan to use the recipes. Comments from clients included “very good information” and “thank you for this service; it is appreciated.”