Nature's Path Gives $50,000 to Put Organic Gardens in Communities That Need Them Most
Richmond, BC (July 6, 2010) – At a time when the connection between diet and the health of people and the planet has come to the forefront of the nations’ consciousness, Nature’s Path Organic Foods, the largest organic cereal manufacturer in North America, is pleased to announce the winning organizations in the Gardens for Good Grant Contest: Vallejo People’s Garden in Vallejo, Calif. and Damayan Garden Project in Tallahassee, FL. The grant is part of Nature’s Path commitment to increase the amount of organic acreage and the access to healthy, chemical-free, organic food for everyone.
“These organizations are generating positive change in their communities from the ground up and we are honored to be able to work with them to make organic gardens available in the places that need them most,” said Arran Stephens, Founder and CEO of Nature’s Path.
Out of 267 outstanding entries from nonprofit organizations making an impact at the local level, Vallejo People’s Garden and Damayan Garden Project rose to the top. The winners were selected based on the location, reach, need, infrastructure and the feasibility of their plan. The organizations will each receive $10,000 cash for their community garden project, technical design and production mentorship from Organic Gardening magazine, an organic community breakfast/fundraiser during the garden dedication and a donation of up to $100,000 in Nature’s Path products to help fill the pantries of a local food bank.
“We were thrilled with the response from over 23,000 passionate people who voted for the organizations they believe in. We knew there was a need, but didn’t realize just how great that need was or how many amazing people are ready to support the cause,” continued Stephens. “Two years ago we started on the path by purchasing 2,240 acres of Saskatchewan farmland while partnering with local organic farmers on a cooperative crop-share basis. The Gardens for Good Grant is only the next small step – this is the start of a huge movement.”
Vallejo People’s Garden is a community coalition grown out of hard times following the closure of their city’s Naval Shipyard and enduring struggle with the economic downturn. The grant will allow the coalition, comprised of volunteers from the Global Center for Success, the Betty Frank Senior Lunch Program, Community Action Partnership Solano, and the Regional Office of the USDA Forest Service, to create a “People’s Garden” which will provide fresh organic produce for the area’s homeless and needy. The garden will also serve the people of Vallejo as an outdoor classroom and a community hub for all ages.
The Damayan Garden Project’s mission is to promote sustainable, local food production and sow the seeds of healthy living and ecological awareness through hands-on gardening activities. The organization plans to use Nature’s Path’s grant to fund a garden that would contribute to local food drives, help teach children where food comes from, inspire enthusiasm about healthy eating, re-establish a lacking sense of community and encourage people to take control of what they eat.
Up next, Nature’s Path will hold organic breakfast fundraisers for the two organizations in their communities to help them enact even more positive change.