theconnectionsnj.com HOME & DESIGN PAGE 72 A local hunger relief non-profit is tackling the issues of food and nutrition insecurity through a full-circle approach of fresh produce distribution, education, and volunteerism. America’s Grow-a-Row began in 2002 through the efforts of one person, Chip Paillex, who was looking for a project to do with his young daughter. Chip and his daughter decided on gardening and started growing vegetables. Their garden thrived and they had more produce than they could use. Then Chip saw an ad that read, “Have extra produce? Bring it to the food pantry and grow a row for the hungry.” That year Chip and his daughter donated 120 pounds of fresh produce to the Flemington Area Food Pantry. When Chip saw the need for fresh fruits and vegetables at local food pantries, he became inspired to grow produce to feed the hungry. Each year Chip planted more and more produce and gathered more and more volunteers to help him sustain his project, and eventually he turned America’s Grow-a-Row into a 501(c)(3) non-profit. Over the years, the program has grown exponentially, and the organization now owns and operates on four farms in Hunterdon County, totaling more than 420 acres, and gleans excess produce from numerous farms and grocery stores across Central New Jersey. With the help of thousands of volunteers, America’s Grow-a-Row donates 2.5 million pounds – or 10 million servings – of fresh, nutritious, fruits and vegetables annually to people experiencing food insecurity. In addition to providing fresh produce to hunger relief partners across New Jersey like the Food Bank Network of Somerset County, the organization serves Philadelphia and New York City as well a number of states along the eastern seaboard. Over the past two years, America’s Grow-a-Row has responded to urgent requests for fresh produce as far away as Texas and Kentucky, and the organization’s produce currently reaches 17 states. An important part of America’s Grow-a-Row’s mission is education. Staff members teach lessons and workshops on topics like healthy eating and nutrition, hunger and poverty, and culinary skills to people of all ages, and America’s Grow-a-Row partners with schools, community groups, and healthcare organizations to present both in-person and virtual lessons. Students learn how fruits and vegetables grow, about the importance of eating nourishing food, including workshops for people struggling with diet-related diseases, and how to prepare a healthy meal with fresh produce. The organization also brings children from under-resourced communities to their farm in Pittstown during the summer months for Grow-a-Row Kids Farm Days, where the children learn about healthy eating, farming, and the environment, pick fruits and vegetables to take home, and make a healthy snack in the onsite kitchen. For many of the children, it is their first visit to a farm. America’s Grow-a-Row expects to serve more than 100,000 people this year alone through their produce donation, volunteer, and education programs. America’s Grow-a-Row welcomes volunteers of all ages, and no experience or special skills are necessary. If you are interested in volunteering or making a financial donation to America’s Grow-a-Row, please contact Chip at 908-331-2962 or chip@americasgrowarow.org. To learn more about America’s Growa-Row, visit americasgrowarow.org. By Susan Kalfaian America’s Grow-a-Row Works to Alleviate Food Insecurity With the help of thousands of volunteers, America’s Grow-a-Row donates 2.5 million pounds – or 10 million servings – of fresh, nutritious, fruits and vegetables annually to people experiencing food insecurity. COMMUNITY NEWS... Friendly In-Home Service COMPUTERS MOBILE TUTORING WiFi (908) 242-3322 | MyTechGuy.com | 8 Mtn. Blvd,Warren
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