Friendship Gardens
This engagement soon developed into
a network of gardens. It became a
reality in Spring 2010 when the partnership between Slow Food Charlotte
and Friendship Trays was awarded a
$70,000 grant from Charlotte’s Women’s Impact Fund. The idea was taking
root and this grant was the perfect
fertilizer. Friendship Gardens has not
initiated all of the more than 75 gardens now in their network, but it has
created programs to consistently provide educational and training opportunities to their gardeners.
“We work with our Garden Leaders
to guide them on planting techniques
as well as planting some of the most
needed foods for Friendship Trays
meals,” Owen said. “We encourage
our gardeners to consider planting
crops that are easiest to transport and
clean before arriving in the kitchen.”
See Annie Mae’s story in the video above.
96
PEACHY
PASSION AND EDUCATION
As Friendship Gardens made its way
into the community, it did so with a
specific mission: to grow healthy food
and to make it available to the community, especially to those with limited
access; to create community around
local food traditions; and to share
knowledge and passion for sustainable
food production. With their mission
and goals in mind, a wide array of
partnerships have developed and each
is impressive.
“Each of our partnerships is different,”
Owen said. “We work with schools,
faith-based organizations, retirement
communities, as well as therapy gardens
for those battling addiction or residing at
the battered women’s shelter.”
Annie Mae Patterson is an example of
how Friendship Gardens reaps success. Patterson is a Charlotte resident
with an extensive backyard garden.
She grows radishes and collard greens,
along with several other vegetables.
Patterson also receives a daily Friendship Trays meal. After learning about
the Friendship Gardens program,
Patterson asked if she could become
one of Friendship Gardens Backyard
Gardeners so she could contribute
her produce to the very program that
brings her meals.