Multigenerational edible gardening initiative to address the City of Big
Shoulders' hunger needs
CHICAGO, May 9 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Uptown-area residents got the
community garden they've long desired on Saturday, thanks in part to The
Scotts Miracle-Gro Company and its group of philanthropic partners in
conjunction with Keep America Beautiful, Keep Chicago Beautiful, the Chicago
Park District, Garden Writers Association, Plant a Row for the Hungry, the
National Gardening Association and Franklin Park Conservatory. Through its
national GroGood edible gardening program, this coalition installed a local
garden dedicated to growing produce to provide Chicago's hungry with
fresh-grown fruits and vegetables.
The garden installation and dedication ceremony took place on Saturday, May 9
from 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. at Clarendon Park (4501 N. Clarendon Ave.) in the Uptown
neighborhood. Chicago city officials led local youth and community groups in
taking the GroGood pledge to grow an edible garden and donate a portion of
their harvests to the Greater Chicago Food Depository, which recently reported
a 32 percent increase in demand for emergency food assistance.
During the event, GroGood program partners and local officials were on hand to
dedicate the installation of 14 garden plots, including eight to be tended
exclusively by local youth, and to provide gardening tips and instruction to
local residents. The GroGood program is designed to encourage area residents
to grow their own fruits and vegetables, while also giving back to their
communities.
"The Chicago Park District is thankful for this generous donation and the many
partners that worked to help build a community garden at Clarendon Park," said
Timothy J. Mitchell, Chicago Park District general superintendent and chief
executive officer. "Private-public partnerships, such as this one, help
creatively fund neighborhood projects during these tough economic times. With
this edible community garden, the community will be able to work together to
grow their own fruits and vegetables. Community gardens, along with our
parks, not only grow plants, but they grow people too."
Area youth organizations engaged in an "Eat a Rainbow" activity station, which
encouraged interactive learning about the health benefits associated with
consuming a colorful variety of fruits and vegetables. ScottsMiracle-Gro's
national and local GroGood partners are: Keep America Beautiful, Keep Chicago
Beautiful, the Chicago Park District, the Garden Writers Association, Plant a
Row for the Hungry, the National Gardening Association and Franklin Park
Conservatory.
ScottsMiracle-Gro is donating 1 million pounds of fresh produce to feed those
at risk of hunger and is asking Americans to pledge to grow and donate an
additional 1 million pounds of produce to help their communities. Other
cities with GroGood awareness events this year are Los Angeles, Miami, Dallas
and Washington, D.C.
"It's inspiring to see how across the country, gardens have the power to bring
out the best in people and their neighborhoods," said Su Lok, director of
corporate and community partnerships for ScottsMiracle-Gro. "As more gardeners
look to grow their own produce this season, we hope they share a portion of
their harvest with those in need in their community."
For more information on GroGood, food gardening and how to locate a local food
agency that accepts fresh produce, please visit www.grogood.com.
About ScottsMiracle-Gro
With nearly $3 billion in worldwide sales and more than 6,000 associates, The
Scotts Miracle-Gro Company, through its wholly-owned subsidiary, The Scotts
Company LLC, is the world's largest marketer of branded consumer products for
lawn and garden care, with products for professional horticulture as well.
The Company's brands are the most recognized in the industry. In the U.S.,
the Company's Scotts(R), Miracle-Gro(R) and Ortho(R) brands are market-leading
in their categories, as is the consumer Roundup(R) brand, which is marketed in
North America and most of Europe exclusively by Scotts and owned by Monsanto.
In the U.S. the Company operates Scotts LawnService(R), the second largest
residential lawn care service business. In Europe, the Company's brands
include Weedol(R), Pathclear(R), Evergreen(R), Levington(R), Miracle-Gro(R),
KB(R), Fertiligene(R) and Substral(R). For additional information, visit us at
www.scotts.com.
SOURCE The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company
Keri Butler of The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company, +1-937-644-7410
