Erie Fresh Edible Greenhouse Garden
Below: Initial Outline Provided
Greetings!
Thank you for your interest in Erie Fresh and the projects that we are going to be initiating this 2009 Season. Erie Fresh, also known as the Erie County Coalition for Local Resources, is trying to increase accessibility to safe, locally grown, nutritious food and to increase knowledge about responsible resource management for the inclusive benefit of those who visit, work and live in Erie County and the surrounding regions, for this generation and the generations to come. Through programs involving the collective wisdom of pastoral, horticultural, agricultural and environmental leaders in our area, the Erie County Coalition for Local Resources will encourage cooperation between the surrounding communities, their organizations and their members to provide services that preserve resources and heritage while educating the succeeding generations on the benefits and values of sustainability: social and environmental responsibility and economic viability.
As a community organization, we are glad you are a part of what we are doing and we just wanted to send out an update to let everyone know how we are progressing.
Edible Parks/Community Gardens
The City of Sandusky has agreed to partner with Erie Fresh to allow for a section of the Sandusky Greenhouse renovations to be used for edibles! Although we are going to be starting out with less land (in a slightly different shape) than in the initial proposal, we are going to demonstrate the potential for growing food in our city slicker setting. As we grow as an organization, we will be able to use our resources to grow fresh food in different areas around the county. We hope to be growing the following in a natural, biologically diverse, permaculture-type system for this first garden:
Kale, Cabbage, Dill, Onions, Tomatoes, Basil, Borage, Geraniums, Broccoli, Cauliflower, Kohlrabi, Beets, Nasturtiums, Marigolds, Sage, Lettuce, Bok Choy, Cucumbers, Carrots, Radishes, Peas, Parsley, Rosemary, Marigolds, Chard, Potatoes, Pole Beans, Lettuce, Radishes, Peppers, Marjoram, Coriander, Catnip, Squash, Bush Beans, Eggplants, Mexican Marigold, Savory, Artichokes
The food grown in this city garden will be offered as a Grace Garden Share to those who are in a fixed-income situation whether they be a retired senior, are collecting unemployment or enrolled in a program offered by the Office of Family Stability (Jobs & Family Services). All donations to the Grace Garden Shares help ensure that healthier foods are getting to those who need them the most. Any excess food will be donated to the Victory Kitchen, located on 1613 Hayes Ave in Sandusky. The Victory Kitchen is a food-bank that offers a free hot meal to anyone who may walk through its doors. They serve on average 175 – 200 plates a day. We also intend to supply other area soup kitchens in need of fresh foods.
There will also be an Edible Garden installed at a locally-owned restaurant, Red Gables Mesquitte Grill. All excess food grown here will also be donated to the Victory Kitchen.
We are always looking for people who would be interested in volunteering/community service. Learn how to grow delicious food while helping your community! Our volunteer hours are every Saturday from 3p to 7p at the Sandusky City Greenhouse.
I would like to invite you to come and tour the greenhouse at the Veterans Home in Sandusky. We are interested in hearing about your Hydroponic gardens. Please call me at your earlest conivence to set up a time. Thank you Tom Ostkar
Is this is the greenhouse on elm st.? I cant seem to find an address on your page. And are you going to need any volunteers soon with spring just around the corner? I’d love to get involved!
Hi Megan,
Great to hear about your excitement for this project.
The garden pictured and diagrammed was at the Sandusky City Greenhouse property on Monroe Street for 2009, but for 2010 we’re going to present to the city for a new garden in the downtown. We’ll publish a press release for it in early April:)
I’ll add your email to the list of our volunteer team for 2010. Also, we do publish updates through The Erie Wire so you can find out more about what we’re doing and where by subscribing;)