Community Food Security
Community food security is a condition in which all community residents obtain a safe, culturally acceptable, nutritionally adequate diet through a sustainable food system that maximizes community self-reliance.
Food Bank's community food security initiatives promote both the local economy and self-sufficiency among individuals using the emergency food network. Through investing dollars with local farmers, establishing gardens at member programs, distributing container gardens to low-income individuals and connecting families to local farmers' markets, Food Bank creates additional access to fresh produce for families in need.
Food Bank's Garden-in-a-Bucket project distributes 5-gallon buckets filled with soil and a tomato plant to pantry recipients, complete with gardening and maintenance instructions. Many emergency food recipients do not have land to plant a traditional vegetable garden, but Garden-in-a-Bucket provides these individuals with the opportunity to have fresh vegetables during the summer; all they need is water and sunlight.
For emergency food recipients who do have access to land for planting, Food Bank offers an interactive Plant a Seed project that provides individuals with vegetable seeds and instructions on how to care for their plants throughout the season.
If you should have any questions or would like additional information, contact Robin Neal, Community Food Security Coordinator, at or (315) 437-1899 x222.
Do you have a garden at your program? If the answer is no, as a member of the Food Bank, you have the opportunity to receive a garden grant award. The award includes $250 worth of materials to start up a small container garden at your facility. To apply, fill out the garden grant application below completely and submit the application by January 15, 2012. A maximum of ten programs will receive the award on a first come, first served basis. Hurry and do not wait to fill it out! Awards will be announced February 2012.
Garden Grant application [PDF]
