Meet a G.N.O.M.E. donating homegrown produce in Tacoma, WA
Our Giving GNOMEs may have different approaches to gardening, but they all agree that Growing Nutritious and Outrageously-fresh Meals for Everyone is a meaningful way to give back to their communities. We're highlighting a few of their stories.
"I love donating through Fresh Food Connect because I know my food donations are supporting my local nonprofits and feeding my neighbors."
1. In 2-3 sentences, tell us a little about you and your garden.
Hi! My name is Colleen. I am a backyard gardener, who is passionate about helping our community thrive and grow. I love donating through Fresh Food Connect because I know my food donations are supporting my local nonprofits and feeding my neighbors.
2. What motivates you to grow and share your homegrown produce?
There are so many reasons why I am deeply motivated to donate my homegrown produce. One of the biggest reasons why I donate is to help breakdown the financial barriers that are inhibiting people from getting access to healthy, fresh, nutritious foods. Every summer, I grow an abundance of vegetables that I want to see used rather than left to go to waste. I love donating my produce to the Food is Free because they are helping our community become healthier and happier.
3. Tell us about your proudest gardening moment.
My proudest gardening moment is expanding my growing production from 2 to 9 raised gardening beds. It took me 2 years and a lot of dirt to make my planting dream come to fruition. Now, I grow over 80 tomato plants with 9 different varieties.
4. What garden tool can you not live without?
My favorite gardening tool is my wheeling bench. It allows me to sit, plant, or harvest with ease. I highly recommend.
5. What piece of advice would you give a beginning gardener?
My advice would be to have fun and ask people in your community if you have any questions. They want to help. :)
