Plant a Row for the Hungry

A people-helping-people program assisting the hungry in Ulster County

Cornell Cooperative Extension of Ulster County’s Master Gardener Program presents The Spring Kick-Off Event announcing the annual Plant-A-Row for the Hungry Program at Lowe’s located at 901 Frank Sottile Blvd. in Kingston on Saturday, May 2. Festivities will begin at 10:00am and continue until 4:00pm.

Master Gardeners will be promoting the Plant-A-Row for the Hungry Program. This program asks vegetable gardeners to devote an extra row in their gardens and bring their excess produce to Cornell Cooperative Extension of Ulster County (CCEUC), located at 10 Westbrook Lane, in Kingston. The excess produce is used by CCEUC Nutrition Program Educators in their hands-on programs that work with low-income families, children, and seniors residing in Ulster County. Donated produce will also be given to food pantries in Kingston and New Paltz. Home gardeners participating in this year’s program will receive one free soil test, an informative packet with suggestions of what to grow and how to plant them, and free “Plant-A-Row” veggie markers for their garden. For more details about the Plant A Row for the Hungry Campaign click here. http://counties.cce.cornell.edu/ulster/MG/MG%20Home.htm

In addition, there will be plant vendors and local garden designers to share ideas on vegetable and fruit garden layouts. Several Master Gardeners will be on hand to answer all your gardening questions and offer free soil testing. One cup soil samples should be dry for pH testing.

For more information contact the Master Gardener Horticulture Hotline at 845-340-DIRT (3478) any Monday, Wednesday or Friday between the hours of 9:00am and 12:00pm.

What is Plant a Row for the Hungry (PAR)?

With the start of the growing and planting season we’re looking for gardeners like you to help feed the hungry in Ulster County by planting an extra row in your garden this summer and signing up to take the excess produce to our office. If you don’t have room to plant an extra row – sign up to donate the excess produce nearly all gardens produce.

We are asking vegetable gardeners to grow a little extra this season, or bring their excess produce to Cornell Cooperative Extension of Ulster County, 10 Westbrook Lane, in Kingston, NY. Our nutrition program educators, who work with low-income children, families, and seniors in hands-on programs, will use and distribute the food when working with participants. Donated produce will also be given to food pantries in Kingston and New Paltz.

Plant a Row for the Hungry began in 1995, as a public service campaign by the Garden Writers Association to encourage gardeners to grow a little extra and donate the produce to local soup kitchens and food banks that serve the homeless and hungry.

More info or call (845) 340-3478 (DIRT).

Plant a Row for the Hungry Drop-Off Sites 2009

Ulster Drop-Off contacts (see pdf above for more details):

Catholic Charities – Special Needs Food Pantry
157 Broadway Kingston, NY 12401
Patricia LaRue 845-340-9170

Community Action Agency of Kingston
70 Lindsey Avenue Kingston, NY 12401
Suzy Hinchey 845-338-8750 x 105

Family of Ellenville
221 Canal Street Ellenville, NY 12428
Lisa Cavanau 845-647-2443

St. Joseph’s Mission Church
Conifer Lane Hurley, NY 12443
Patricia LaRue 845-338-7121

Related posts:
Hunger in the Hudson Valley: How Can We Help?
Rondout Valley Growers Association Community Gleaning Days
Kingston City Garden Committee – volunteers welcome
CCE 4-H Garden, Youth Development Program Club Call for Volunteers