The accessibility of fresh nutritious produce is one of the biggest challenges local food shelves face when trying to fight hunger. Employees at Plymouth-based Mosaic Company understand the need to raise awareness about hunger issues and are helping to feed the Twin Cities suburbs through their new community garden.
Completely volunteer run, the garden produces onions, potatoes, peas, beans, tomatoes, peppers, radishes, zucchini, melons, squash, carrots and more. The produce is sent to partner organization Interfaith Outreach Community Partners (IOCP), where the goods are delivered and stored through IOCP’s food shelf. “Our volunteers do the same as any gardener would; they get their hands dirty monitoring plants, pulling weeds, planting and harvesting,” Mosaic community engagement manager Nick Schmidt says.
The garden, located on the corner of WestHealth’s property, has a goal this year to produce 1,000 pounds of fruits and vegetables, and that number is sure to rise as the garden thrives. “We have a 4,000 square foot garden, but considering the wet spring we’ve had, that goal may be tough to reach,” Schmidt says. “We’re hopeful, as this is our first year, and we’re learning a lot of valuable gardening lessons.”
The Mosaic Company is the world’s largest combined producer of phosphate and potash—two key nutrients in plant growth. It distributes globally to customers in 30 countries to help the world grow the food it needs. At a local level, Mosaic promotes a culture of community service among its employees. “Several departments are participating in our ‘adopt-a-crop’ effort for team-building and as a chance to get out for fresh air during the lunch hour,” Schmidt says.
@ Get more info via email or Mosaic Co.'s website.
