GardenShare is working hard to help people in our community with access to healthy, local food. With St. Lawrence County farmers markets in full swing, GardenShare is having an amazing season. Through the SNAP token program, as well as the Double Up Food Bucks program, we have been able to help facilitate several thousand dollars in SNAP transactions at our farmers markets. We have also given out over $15,000 in Bonus Bucks funds, which are matched by participants and help to provide them with healthy, local food. That translates to nearly $40,000 spent at local farmers markets or with local producers that stays right here in St. Lawrence County.

To keep all of this work going, GardenShare is working to secure grants but we also strive to have a diversified funding stream that includes foundational gifts, corporate sponsors, and by hosting fundraising events. This summer, the Growing Together Dinner Series is continuing to be a way for our community to support local growers and chefs, while also raising funds to ensure that GardenShare can keep working to eliminate food insecurity.

Our first dinner was a delicious success, with a catered meal that featured local food from eight different farms. The second Growing Together Summer Dinner will be hosted by Canton Apples (339 NY-310 Canton) on Thursday, July 31st. The event will begin at 5:30pm, with dinner being served buffet style at 6:30pm by Big Spoon Kitchen. Drinks will be provided by Canton Apples and Frosty Twig Cider, with details about drink costs coming soon. Tickets are $50 for ages 11+, $20 for ages 4-10, and guests under age 3 are free. Find more details and reserve your tickets by visiting gardenshare.org/growing-together.