Urban Harvest

Urban Harvest is a sustainable agriculture program that grows fresh fruits and vegetables for hungry Oklahomans and provides tools to increase family food security through education and training workshops. According to the USDA, health problems from insufficient fruit and vegetable consumption are responsible for 2.7 million deaths a year.  An astounding 85 percent of children and 60 percent of adults do not meet the USDA’s suggestion of five or more servings of fruits and vegetables each day.

Community Gardens

Urban Harvest works to encourage the establishment of sustainable community gardens in the Oklahoma City area. There are 28 Urban Harvest community gardens across the state that donate fresh produce to fight hunger in Oklahoma, and another 12 community gardens are in development.

The program assists in the development, establishment and ongoing support of gardens by helping with:

• Information and educational assistance concerning gardening
• Seeds and plants in spring
• Tools and equipment, including compost, manure, straw and other materials when available
• Hosting community garden meetings at the Regional Food Bank facility

For a full list of community gardens, click here (PDF, 102KB). Those interested in starting a community garden can contact Bruce Edwards at 405-604-7108 or at bedwards@regionalfoodbank.org.

Composting

The Regional Food Bank generates waste in the form of spoiled produce, cardboard and plastic associated with shipping of produce. To reduce expenditures on waste removal, Urban Harvest has expanded composting efforts. Produce is diverted from the dumpster to the garden compost processing area. Any spoiled produced is mixed with straw, wood chips and dry leaves that eventually produce large amounts of compost to be used in the Urban Harvest gardens to grow food for Oklahomans in need.  A volunteer group called Red Dirt Soil Builders meets Saturday mornings from 9 a.m. to noon to assist with the effort.

Demonstration Garden

The demonstration garden was built at the Regional Food Bank by Boy Scouts seeking their Eagle Scout badge to show various methods of constructing raised beds for community garden settings. The garden is tended to by the Urban Harvest staff and Master Gardener volunteers. Regional Food Bank employees have the opportunity to adopt a bed in the demonstration gardens. Much of the produce grown here is distributed to Oklahoma’s hungry through the Regional Food Bank’s distribution system.

Gardening Classes

Urban Harvest also hosts educational workshops in the spring on subjects like community gardening, organic gardening techniques, drip irrigation, season extension, composting and more. Speaking engagements can be scheduled upon request.

Greenhouse

Aquaponic System and Greenhouse Produce

The Urban Harvest greenhouse houses the aquaponic system, which helps to conserve resources by continuously circulating water below the plants in the grow beds. The system allows as many as 850 units of any greens or herbs to be planted and harvested in four to six weeks. The mature produce is sold to local chefs and businesses.

Aquaponic System Tilapia – fish

The tilapia tank in the aquaponic system holds up to 800 fish and provides the primary nutrients to feed the plants growing in the system. The fish grow and mature into 1.5 pound fish suitable to eat in about 9 to 10 months time. The waste produced by the tilapia is used to feed worms and fertilize other plants in the Urban Harvest production gardens.

Orchard

The orchard at the Regional Food Bank provides fresh peaches, pears and plums that are distributed to partner agencies.

Plant-A-Row

Plant-A-Row is a program for people who want to help feed the hungry in their community by growing food themselves. Launched in 1995, Plant-A-Row was developed by the Garden Writers Association to encourage gardeners to grow a little extra—or a lot extra—and donate the produce to those in need. Gardeners can deliver produce to the Regional Food Bank or to a neighborhood partner agency. After donating, please send the Plant-a-Row donor receipt with poundage from the agency to Bruce Edwards at bedwards@regionalfoodbank.org or mail to the Regional Food Bank.

Urban Harvest Volunteering

There are opportunities Monday through Saturday to volunteer with Urban Harvest. See a full list of available opportunities on the Urban Harvest Volunteer page.

For more information, contact Bruce Edwards at 405-604-7108 or at bedwards@regionalfoodbank.org.

May 15, 2010  Norfork, Arkansas

6:30 AM was rainy, but all the helpers gathered to help prepare for the run/walk and bike ride.

Registration went smoothly and over 55 run/walkers participated. Several bikers arrived but were deterred by the wet pavement.

The rain stopped before the race. After instructions and a short prayer of thankfulness, the race was on.

  Some people participated and others just cheered them on.

 The overall winners received an empty bowl to remind them of the people they were helping by entering the race.

  Lots of happy winners!

Twin Lakes Community Bank provided lunch for the participants at the Norfork City Park.

A Big “Thank You” to all the Donors to the

Norfork’s Pioneer Day

5K Walk/Run

• KTLO Radio
• TLC Bank
• Habitotes
• Jim Holsted
• Dr/Mrs. Mike Risk
• Garretson Chiropractic Clinic
• Outskirts Bike Shop
• Human Motion Institute (BRMC)
• Kirby and Family Funeral Services
• Randy and Michelle Ludwig
• Jess and Beth Vanderstek
• Debby and Don Stanuch
• Martha Grant, CPA
• Harp’s Grocery
• Walmart
• Sheid Furniture
• Berton and Linda Finley
• Leon Alexander

U.S. Senator Blanche Lincoln, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry, will hold an event tomorrow to celebrate last week’s passage of the Healthy Hunger Free Kids Act of 2010.  Lincoln and child nutrition advocacy groups worked together to pass this bill that reauthorizes federal child nutrition programs before they expire on September 30.  The legislation was passed unanimously, and makes the largest investment in child nutrition programs since their inception, setting nutrition standards that ensure schools are serving healthier meals.

Please join us tomorrow, August 10th at 11:30 a.m.  The event will be held at:

McAlmont Church of Christ

1824 East 46th Street

N. Little Rock, AR  72117-2446

The church is off of Hwy. 161 about 1.5 miles from the Wal-Mart on McCain.

Biker Registration (about 130) and Drawing Tickets!  Bikes all lined up neatly.  RESTING:)

   Bikers (Martha Grant, treasurer of the Food Bank of North Central Arkansas)  mounted up—GET ready—GET set—GO!

Bikers taking a break in the shade at Norfork!

Paula Hill, Office Manager at the Food Bank,  handing out water to Bikers in Norfork.  Board of Directors, Jo and Dr. Richard Byrd—itching to ride!!!!.

Food Bank staff, Paula Hill and Chuck Robinson and me, board members, Dr. Richard Byrd and Jo Byrd and volunteers Abigail Williams (my granddaughter), Mary Carlson and Don Stanuch passed out water and mingled with Martha and the other many bikers.  Big “Thank You” from the Norfork United Methodist Women who sponsors the Norfork Backpack Program.

First Security Bank, Mountain Home,  sponsored the Benefit Ride (and provided great hot dogs and drinks) as well as State Farm in Mountain Home.

Many thanks to A.B.A.T.E. District 16 for their help and support.  Pictured in front of Century 21 LeMac Realty East is Jewel Penegost and Candy Barnes, the author and coordinator of this very successful event.  Thank you!

Lots of great drawings!                                               And T-Shirts

Martha Grant, me and Debby Stanuch, the Food Bank of North Central Arkansas’s President!   “THANK YOU” from the Norfork United Methodist Women and we thank all the sponsors and supporters and bikers of this benefit on behalf of all the school children who will be receiving the  weekend meal packs!