Community Garden, Bigger And Better

LINCOLN — Many families in Lincoln are supplementing their meals this summer with fresh produce from Lincoln’s community garden.

The fruits and vegetables grown in the garden are donated to GRACE Place in Lincoln to hand out to families in need.

Through June 29, the garden has provided raspberries, 178 peppers, 178 tomatoes, 14 cucumbers, 392 potatoes, 106 onions, 50 gallons of kale and 146 radishes to Grace Place, according to Master Gardener Jim Sposato, who oversees the garden on behalf of the city of Lincoln.

“I think it’s gone great this year,” Sposato said. “We give it to people who can use it. There are a lot of people who need fresh vegetables who cannot afford it.”

As produce is harvested, it is left at the door at GRACE Place to be divided and packed to hand out to families during the week.

Several groups help Sposato but he still is in need of volunteers to weed the garden and pick produce on the 4½-acre plot of city land. Sposato said volunteers are needed

to help for several hours beginning at 3:30 p.m. on Monday, Wednesday and Friday nights. To volunteer, call Sposato at 479-8568232.

The garden is in its third year and for 2015 and 2016, it supplied food to more than 1,000 families in the area.

This year’s garden has some new items. Sposato is growing kale, corn, radishes and raspberries. Other vegetables grown are pepper, yellow and zucchini squash, cucumbers, tomatoes, potatoes and okra.

“We try to grow stuff people are going to eat,” Sposato said. “We’re growing kale this year because it is good for you.”

Sposato also increased the size of the garden this year. Rows are 180 feet long and the garden is 80 feet wide.

Kim Igo, GRACE Place director, said produce from the garden is given directly to clients.

Another volunteer, who asked that her name not be used, said, “All of it is good and we appreciate it very much. Every bit of it is given to our clients.”

GRACE Place is open three days each week to help those in need. Hours are 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, 9 a.m. to noon on Thursday, and 9 a.m. to noon Saturdays.

As an example, during one week, GRACE Place filled 22 orders on Tuesday, 27 orders on Thursday and 22 orders on Saturday. One order can represent from one to eight people in the family, the volunteer said.

The ministry’s food pantry is located at 200 W. Park St., in Lincoln. A thrift store is open to the public across the street.

Some of the groups that have volunteered at the garden this year or donated money, seeds or plants are Chicken Holler in Farmington, American Legion, Farmers Coop in Lincoln, Washington County Sheriff’s Office and its community service program, St. Thomas Catholic Church, Lincoln Middle School EAST Lab and city of Lincoln employees.

LYNN KUTTER ENTERPRISE-LEADER This Golden Sweet Grape is one of many tomato varieties planted in Lincoln’s community garden.

COURTESY PHOTO Lincoln Community Garden this year has expanded with 180-foot rows of vegetables, including tomatoes.

LYNN KUTTER ENTERPRISE-LEADER Master Gardener Jim Sposato of Lincoln heads up the Lincoln Community Garden. He would like a few more volunteers, though, to help pull weeds in the garden and pick fresh produce.