Grow It Green Morristown has been raking in some green, to keep its community gardens green.
The nonprofit’s recent Diamonds for Kale gala at the Kellogg Club raised more than $30,000, said Abby Gallo, executive director of Grow It Green.
These funds will help the organization “continue educating the community on healthy eating and environmental stewardship and providing equal access to fresh, local food,” Gallo said.
And Kings Food Markets will be donating $25,000 this year as Grow It Green’s exclusive grocery partner.
Additionally, Kings stores throughout Morris County and in Bernardsville will donate five per cent of purchases made by shoppers with the new Grow It Green affiliation card, Gallo said.
Earlier this year, Grow It Green also received a $35,000 Sustainable Jersey grant for a solar powered classroom pavilion at its Early Street Community Garden.
“We are very proud to work with Grow It Green Morristown to provide fresh, local produce to the community while educating them on healthy eating habits and how to be self-sufficient, as part of our Act Against Hunger Initiative,” Judy Spires, president and CEO of Kings Food Markets, said in a statement.
“Hunger relief is an issue that we take very seriously, and we are thrilled to be able to give back to the community through this initiative.”
Over the years, Kings has donated more than 50 tons of food to those in need, according to the chain.
Grow It Green, which operates the Urban Farm at Lafayette as well as the Community Garden, has donated more than 5,500 pounds of home-grown produce in the last two growing seasons.
“Kings Food Markets has been a valuable supporter of Grow It Green Morristown over the past several years and we cannot thank them enough for their continued support,” Gallo said in a statement.
“Kings’ donations have allowed us to expand the physical space of the farm and grow the produce, which has in turn, enabled us to donate fresh produce to area soup kitchens, shelters and schools.”
The Grow It Green affiliation card will be available at the Urban Farm (behind the Morris School District’s Lafayette Learning Center) and also at Kings’ newly renovated Morristown store, Gallo said.
