OROVILLE – Skipper Clark took advantage of a break in the weather Thursday to install the “free produce” sign onto the African American Family Cultural Center community garden’s new food stand.
“We sell the produce from the garden for 50 cents a pound to the Southside community and $2 a pound to the general public,” said Clark, garden manager. “When we have extra produce, we’ll put it in the stand for people to take.”
The 6-by-3-by-3-foot stand at the Wyandotte Avenue garden is one of two already placed in the county by the Butte County Local Food Network. The other stand is located at Vecino Community Garden in Chico. Two more stands are slated for installation later this month, one in Gridley and one in Paradise. Another seven are being constructed for future installation.
“The purpose of the free food stands or mini food distribution pantries is to provide a way for people to share the excess from their gardens with their community,” said Pamm Larry, BCLFN director. “Anybody can give or take whole, fresh produce, nothing cut, canned or boxed.”
The food stands are part of the BCLFN’s 1,000 Acres Project, an initiative that’s a revitalization of the World War II Victory Garden movement during which people across the country grew 42 percent of their produce in home, school, church and community gardens, according to Larry. Each food stand is or will be decorated with a mural by local artists Ascha Rowley or Ciara Hart.
“The premise of the project is that, working together, we can create 1,000 acres more food for all in our neighborhoods — right in our yards — enough to feed every person in Butte County healthy fruits and vegetables each year,” said Larry. “It’s all about growing food and feeding people.”
BCLFN is looking for people and organizations to provide locations and management for the seven food stands currently under construction. The locations must be easily accessible and regularly tended so they stay clean, undamaged and viable resources. Applications for hosting a food stand are available by emailing Larry at [email protected].
In addition to providing produce donated by neighborhood gardeners, the food stands will also be stocked, when possible, by the BCLFN “glean team,” a group of volunteers that pick excess produce from local orchards, said Larry.
During the winter months the AAFCC’s food stand may be a bit lean said Clark but will be stocked with citrus, beets, turnips and a variety of greens including mustard, kale, Swiss chard and collards when there’s excess. He expects the summer stock will include the “usual suspects” such as tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, squash and melon.
“This is just another source of food for the community and hopefully everyone will be respectful of it,” said Clark. “I love this garden and the food stand. It’s cool to be part of something so positive.”
The food stands have all been funded through various grants including one from the Upstate California Creative Corp through the California Arts Council and one from the Charis Foundation. Additionally the Butte Environmental Council and Hands On Tools Mobile Construction Training have donated wood and labor for construction.
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