Everything Under The Sun: Sharing Nature's Bounty With Less Fortunate Neighbors

Wednesday, May 25, 2016

Sharing Nature's Bounty With Less Fortunate Neighbors

Planted gardens lead to harvested crops.

Sometimes looks can be deceiving. To look at the BERKSHIRES area of Massachusetts, you would believe the area is populated by the more affluent. It's an area where tourists come to soak in the views and atmosphere. There are the arts, music, and recreation, readily available to both locals and tourists. The towns are small, the families are close-knit; it's a small slice of Americana, complete with majestic views.

But behind the scenes, out of view of the tourists and wealthier residents, are people who are barely making it. Botanist Daniel Lewis took note of his neighbors in need. Because the area is rural, resources can be gotten at a distance. The nearest grocer is seven miles away. If a resident couldn't afford a car, that could limit choices to the small, more expensive local general stores.

Daniel stated, "My wife and I were shocked to find so many people living life on the edge of bankruptcy in such an affluent area as the Berkshires of Massachusetts. This fact, coupled with the distance to a supermarket and the propensity of those on a fixed income not to have a vehicle, inspired us to action."

His idea sparked the start of the WEST STOCKBRIDGE COMMUNITY GARDEN & FOOD BANK. The idea was to combine the yield from the community garden with produce donated by farmers' markets, to supply the dinner tables of residents in need. This project is also entirely run by volunteers. Part of the project trains these volunteers in basic and more advanced gardening techniques. Whatever is grown and harvested in the volunteer-planted gardens becomes available to lower-income residents, who lack the transportation to get to the supermarket. Mr. Lewis figures that this planted area can furnish produce for around forty residents. Residents who don't have enough space to maintain their own gardens can plant a space at the community gardens.

Mr. Lewis discussed the details, "Not only will we enrich the land we farm by using organic practices, we will educate the volunteers and the recipients in growing their own food and building a stronger community. Our project directly promotes social justice by connecting the so-called 'haves and have nots' in our special community."

The sign leads to fresh produce and help for those who are food-challenged.

Consider this: Mr. Lewis' community garden project was in the planning stages through most of 2014. The following year, the group was able to have several harvests and distributions of the produce grown. From thought to reality, that's how it rolls!