Plant-a-Row for the Hungry

What Is Plant-A-Row for the Hungry (PAR)?

Launched in 1995 by the Garden Writer’s Association (GWA), Plant A Row for the Hungry is a people-helping-people program that encourages gardeners to grow a little extra and donate the produce to local soup kitchens and food pantries serving the homeless and hungry in their local communities.

Local food agencies are often the only hope some people have to put food on the table for themselves and their children. By donating produce directly to the food agencies, gardeners help organizations and their patrons stretch their meager resources.

Visit the Garden Writer’s Association website for more information

The Need is Great

• Over 36 million Americans live in households that experience hunger or the risk of hunger daily.
• Almost 14 million people facing hunger each day are children.
• 1-in-8 Americans face hunger daily.

In Humboldt County

• The food pantry, Food for People provides food for over 10,000 people a month (10% of our population).
• Requests for assistance have been up 25-30% over the past year.
• They serve children, seniors living on fixed incomes, individuals and working families.
• 34% of the adults in Humboldt County area at risk for hunger and living paycheck to paycheck.
• Children account for 35-40% of the population that Food for People serves.

Visit Food For People’s website for more information

How to Get Involved

• When planting vegetables, fruits, or herbs, dedicate a row or portion of your garden for the Plant a Row program.
• Place your PAR stake in this row to show your support for the program and tell other about it.
• Tell others in the community about the program and how to get involved.
• Donate seeds, plant starts, tools and other items to the Humboldt PAR program or local community gardens in your area.
• At harvest time, deliver the produce you have planted or gleaned to your local Food for People food pantry.

Resources

For Everyone

• Plant-a-Row for the Hungry: Humboldt Campaign Booklet
• Food Bank Food Pantry Locations in Humboldt County
• Humboldt County Gardening Tips
• How to Plant Vegetables in Humboldt County
• University of California Garden Web: Vegetable FAQ’s
• Year Round Garden Guide

For Educators

• Garden Based Curriculum Web Resources
• Benefits of Garden Based Learning
• North Coast CREEC
• Teacher Resource Guide to Educational Materials about Agriculture

Linking Gardens to CA State Standards:

• A Child’s Garden of Standards
• Linking CA State Standards to your School Garden

Guides for Stating your School Garden

• Children’s Garden-Field Guide for Teachers, Parents & Volunteers
• Guide to Creating School Gardens as Outdoor Classrooms
• Steps to Building a Sustainable School Garden Program

School Garden Wizard Guides

• Make the Case for Your Garden
• Plan For Success
• Create the Garden
• Learn in the Garden
• Keep it Growing

Garden Based Curriculum & Lesson Plans

• Nutrition to Grow On
• WE Garden Lesson Plans
• Harvesting Health - Grade Based Nutrition Education Lessons
• Garden Science Exploration Units: 1-4th Grades
• California Agriculture Fact Sheets
• Kids Cook Farm Fresh: Seasonal Recipes, Activities and Farm Profiles

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