Certified organic breakfast and snack food company Nature’s Path has revealed the winners of its annual Gardens for Good program, which recognizes the role of community gardens and their efforts to provide access to organic, fresh, and nutritious fruits and vegetables.
Out of 350 applicants, Nature’s Path selected 22 winners to each receive $5,000 to support their local gardening efforts. Special consideration was given to gardens serving BIPOC communities, disproportionately impacted by the pandemic.
"With so many deserving applicants and amazing stories about local community garden impacts, it was so hard to choose only 21 gardens to receive our grants, which is why we added an extra at the last minute!" said Jyoti Stephens, VP mission and strategy at Nature's Path, in a statement. "The overwhelming response to this year's Gardens For Good program shows us that—amidst a time when access to nutritious foods became a critical challenge due to the pandemic—local communities have rallied together to support each other. It is truly heartwarming."
The winners of the Gardens For Good grants include:
• AfriThrive Garden
• Alief Community Garden
• Arcata Community Health and Wellness Garden
• Arma Community Garden
• Ashamaawaso (s/he feeds a child)
• Black Urban Farmers Association
• Cheyenne River Youth Project Winyan Toka Win Garden
• Cowichan Green Community's The Inclusion Garden
• Food Strong Learning Garden
• Galiano School Garden
• Gardeneers Piccolo School Garden
• Harris Health System's LBJ Hospital Community Farm
• Jubilee Community Garden Society
• Manna Meal Community Garden
• Mohawk Seedkeepers
• Odyssey Charter School Garden
• Painted Turtle Farm
• South Los Angeles Community Farm
• The Ben Jones Community Garden at The HUUB
• The Gathering Place Garden
• The Healing Garden at Ferry Lane Farm
• Trellis for Tomorrow
With this year's contribution, Nature's Path has donated over $515,000 and supported 52 community garden projects globally.
Related: USDA Dedicates Additional Funds for Food Producers; Dollar General Expands Produce Offerings, New Store Formats.
Image: Nature's Path