Growing extra food to share with local food pantries

EAU CLAIRE, Wis. (WEAU) – During spring, gardening provides an opportunity to grow fresh produce while connecting with nature, but sometimes you grow more than you can eat.

Now, Margaret Murphy, a horticulture educator at UW-Madison, is sharing what you can do with those extra fruits and vegetables.

According to Murphy, growing extra food to share for local food pantries is an alternative that could reduce food waste and alleviate food insecurity. She grew up gardening with her family, a passion she carried into adulthood. Now, Murphy dedicates part of her time to volunteering at community gardens and perfecting her personal garden at home.

“In doing that, I got to know food pantry managers, you know, contacting them and touching base with them as we donated, and they were always so excited to have fresh produce come onto their shelves,” Murphy shared. “It just made me feel really good that yay this food is being used, and it’s being appreciated, and it’s helping people get high-nutrition, good food.”

Once she harvests the produce, she shares the surplus with local food pantries, such as Feed My People Food Bank.

“You harvest your produce right at the peak of ripeness, so it’s got a very high nutrient content and all that robust flavor. So, it’s just a really nice treat to have fresh produce when it’s available. Plus, you know the amount that I donate. Is it going to end food insecurity in my area? No, but if it helps an individual or a family stretch their food dollars a little further, then that’s wonderful.”

Murphy encourages others to do the same. This prevents extra food from ending up in the compost bin or landfill while helping keep the community fed. Murphy said there are several things to consider when donating, including washing your hands and setting aside produce that was tampered with by wildlife.

For more information on safe donation practices, Murphy encourages you to contact your local food bank or attend one of her Garden Series talks at the Chippewa Falls Public Library.

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