Community Giving Garden

The Framingham Garden Club is proud to launch its second annual Community Giving Garden (CGG) program at Framingham’s Earth Day on April 20, 2024. This program was launched in 2023 to encourage Framingham residents to grow healthy vegetables and herbs at their homes and donate some to family, friends, neighbors, or local food pantries, to address food insecurity in the Metrowest Community. CGG was a great success in 2023, and we are happy to bring it back in 2024!

In 2023, 81 families/people participated in CGG, each experiencing the joy and rewards of growing healthy produce in the manner that worked best for them and giving back to others. The Framingham Garden Club provided eight educational email newsletters and on-line resources throughout the growing season, and we all learned from each other. In the words of some of our participating families:

“It’s going so lovely! I’m learning a lot! The tomato seedling that you provided has been blossoming.”

“It has been a family affair, everyone has pitched in to water and keep an eye on new tomatoes, and making sure there were no bugs. It has been a great experience!”

Here is information about CGG 2024 and how you can get involved!

What: The Community Giving Garden 2024 will provide starter materials, tips, gardening advice, and education to encourage Framingham residents to grow healthy vegetables and herbs at their homes, in the manner that works best for them. Families can donate a portion of their harvest to families, friends, neighbors and local food pantries to help address food insecurity.

The Community Giving Garden will launch at the Framingham Earth Day Festival 2024 at the Framingham Centre Common on April 20. We strongly suggest that you Register on-line in advance , and pick up your starter kit at Earth Day, because starter kit material will be provided while supplies last.

Who: Residents of Framingham of all ages and gardening ability. Families are encouraged to apply. One registration per family, please!

How: There are five easy steps to the program:

• Register – Register online here and tell us some basic information about yourself and your family including what you would like to grow, your gardening experience, and the gardening topics that interest you.
• Get Ready – For the first families who register, we will provide a “starter kit” that includes an initial gardening guide/tip sheet, and a grow bag with soil and a seedling, while supplies last.  All participants will receive the initial gardening guide/tip sheet and online advice and information during the growing season! Please plan to pick up your starter kit and meet Framingham Garden Club members at Earth Day in Framingham Centre on April 20 from 11 to 3.
• Dig In – Start your garden and refer to our website for updates throughout the growing season. We will provide resources and information on gardening to help you as you grow!
• Harvest and Donate– As you harvest your vegetables and herbs, please enjoy your healthy food, and please donate some of your harvest to families, friends or neighbors that could use fresh produce or one of the designated food pantries that are listed below. These food pantries are listed, with name, address, contact information and hours of operation clearly outlined, to make it easy for you to donate!
• Keep Us Posted – Tell us about your gardening experience……we would love to learn what you are growing, how you are using your harvest, and what you have donated and where through our harvest update form. Please share information and pictures with us on social media and our website!

The Framingham Garden Club’s Community Giving Garden team would like to express sincere gratitude for donations to our Community Giving Garden starter kits from the following vendors: Coast of Maine, Fran’s Flowers, Lowe’s, Home Depot, Rivers Edge, Root Pouch, and Stearns Farm. Many thanks for helping us to support members of our community as they grow vegetables and herbs and share with others. #Growing GoodProgram  #GrowingGoodWill”