Local Master Gardeners with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach O’Brien County have added a produce donation drop site at the Sanborn Community Gardens. Community members are encouraged to drop off surplus garden produce to be shared with those in need in O’Brien County.
Extra garden produce may be dropped off Monday evening up until 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday morning at the designated drop site, which is beside the garden shed at the Sanborn Community Gardens. The Sanborn Community Gardens are located along the east edge of N Eastern Street directly behind the Cornerstone United Reformed Church in Sanborn.
“Our local Master Gardeners are already growing a donation garden, but this gives community members the opportunity to donate extra garden produce also,” said Kate Stewart, who coordinates the Master Gardener program for ISU Extension and Outreach in O’Brien County. “Each Tuesday throughout the growing season, the Master Gardeners will harvest their own donation garden produce and combine that with the produce donations. Donations will then be taken to Upper Des Moines Opportunity, Inc., Love,INC of Greater O’Brien County, the Siouxland Food Bank and additional food pantries as produce is available.”
Stewart said that all donations will be cleaned, weighed, and taken to the designated donation site before the heat of the day on Tuesdays. Local food pantries look forward to these fresh produce donation days.
“We at Upper Des Moines enjoy receiving the produce that is brought to our office as it does go very fast and clients love getting it,” said Brenda Collier, O’Brien County Outreach Specialist with Upper Des Moines Opportunity. “They [clients] really ask for tomatoes, potatoes, cucumbers and spaghetti squash.”
Collier said the produce is greatly appreciated and thanks those who donate.
For additional information on the Produce Donation Drop Site, call 712-957-5045 or email xobrien@iastate.edu.