Policy, Systems and Environmental Change Coordinator
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Katie Sorrell
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Growing Together Iowa, a donation gardening and nutrition education project from Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, has received $85,000 from Amerigroup, a leading managed care company. The gift is supporting a statewide community garden initiative that will provide nearly 110,000 pounds of fresh produce to area food pantries.
This year's Growing Together Mini-Grant projects with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach resulted in 33 Iowa counties growing 91,772 pounds of fruits and vegetables that were donated to 119 food pantries and distribution sites.
A record 36 gardening-related projects will be funded by Growing Together Mini-Grants, according to Iowa State University Extension and Outreach.
Growing Together Iowa combines Iowa State University Extension and Outreach expertise in nutrition education, horticulture and food safety with volunteers and grants for community gardens throughout the state to grow, harvest and donate tens of thousands of pounds of fresh fruits and vegetables to Iowa food pantries annually. The initiative is a 2022 Harkin on Wellness Designee.
A gift from Amerigroup will help fund Iowa State University Extension and Outreach's Growing Together Iowa donation garden and nutrition project.
Volunteers in 33 counties planted and harvested fruits and vegetables that were donated to 115 food pantries and distribution sites serving almost 67,000 Iowans. The effort was part of Iowa State University Extension and Outreach's Growing Together Iowa project.
Growing Together projects are being funded across Iowa to increase food security and healthy food access. The 30 funded projects are supported by the Master Gardener program and SNAP-Education through Iowa State University Extension and Outreach.
Growing Together Iowa and the Iowa Master Gardener Program, two Iowa State University Extension and Outreach complementary projects, have received $25,000 from Iowa Total Care. The donation will help to support training scholarships and a statewide community garden initiative that provides fresh produce to local food pantries.
Mini grants are available to help purchase materials for Master Gardener volunteer donation garden projects with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. Applications are due Dec. 18.