Those With Should Share With Those That Do Not…

While Natureman was waiting for me to finish an errand, he decided to take a little walk around the block in central La Crosse. Near one of the middle schools he discovered a piece of property which had been divided up into about 10 feet square garden plots.  

A mother and child were working in one of the plots so Natureman complimented the woman on how nice the gardens looked and inquired as to how long this land had been used like this. She responded that the gardens had been there awhile, adding that anybody can garden there but the plot costs $30 for the season and the conditions are that the gardener must share 10% of their produce with a neighbor/ somebody in need. What a terrific idea!

A couple of days before this incident Natureman and I had once again had the opportunity to sit at the 'Share the Bounty' table in the Farmer’s Market. I am sure I have mentioned it before but the idea is that shoppers are greeted and asked to purchase a little extra as a donation to be dropped off at the end of their shopping.

All these food donations then are distributed to food kitchens throughout the City.  If  people choose to donate monetarily, we take the monies and go shopping in the market that day trying to distribute purchases among the vendors. Then at the end of market day, vendors also graciously donate produce that won’t last until their next market day.  It’s a win win situation for consumer, the grower and the food pantries and we are keeping business local also! And if the home gardener has extra, then this can be also donated.

As the season  continues,  the collections become larger and larger.. I just love the sense of community and taking care of our own and everybody benefitting.