Introducing CDCG’s Sharon DiLorenzo

Sharon DiLorenzo:

CdCG’s program manager reflects upon the successes and challenges she’s faced during her tenure.

Was born in Schenectady and has lived in the Capital Region most of her life. Currently the program manager of the Capital District Community Gardens (CDCG) , she has worn, and continues to wear, a number of hats for the local non-profit organization during her 20-year tenure. CDCG was founded 38 years ago as a way to nourish and support healthy communities. 1 Describe a little about what you do on the job. I manage a team of amazing staff who oversee our 49 community gardens, provide educational programming, inform the public about CDCG’s programs, and implement the Squash Hunger Program which collects and distributes donated produce to food pantries and other community feeding programs. In our spare time, we build new community gardens, organize urban forestry projects and help raise funds to support all of the organization’s successful programs. 2 What are some initiatives that you are most proud about or for which you were instrumental in bringing about? I’m so proud of the work accomplished by everyone at CDCG. We’ve expanded our gardens into southern Saratoga County and serve almost 4,000 people through the community garden program. More than 3,000 trees have been planted in parks and along city streets around the region through our urban forestry program. We are teaching people how to successfully grow and prepare healthy fresh food, helping people live healthier lives. It’s all such good stuff!! 3 Please discuss some of the most significant contributions of Capital District Community Gardens programs. CDCG’s programs are all making a huge difference in the lives of local residents, whether it’s having access to a garden space in your neighborhood, the opportunity for teens to gain job skills on our urban farm in Troy, or accessing affordable fresh food from one of our mobile produce markets. 4 What are some of the biggest challenges you face on the job? Finding the resources we need to continue our work is always a challenge. Funding, volunteers, in-kind goods and services are always needed to keep moving things forward. CDCG recently purchased a building in North Central Troy that will be transformed into our new headquarters. With expanded and efficient new space, we’ll be able to greatly increase our programs and services. Check out our website at www. cdcg.org to learn more and find ways you can help. 5 What is something you’d most like readers to know about either of the above programs? In 2004, we launched the Squash Hunger Program to ensure that surplus produce from gardeners, farmers, and markets was collected and distributed to food pantries, soup kitchens and shelters across the region. That first year, we collected 6,214 pounds. In 2013, more than 49,000 pounds of fresh fruits and vegetables were donated to local feeding programs through Squash Hunger and the numbers will continue to grow!