P-Patchers donate their time, labor and veggies to over two dozen Seattle food banks, meals programs and shelters. In 2009, the gardeners donated more than 27,400 pounds of produce! Read more (link to letter below) in this letter from Lettuce Link, one of the many partners of the P-Patch Community Gardening Program. Solid Ground’s Lettuce Link Program helps to connects gardeners’surplus produce to those in need.

Dear P-Patch gardeners,

Another huge thank you to all of the P-Patch gardeners that generously donated their time, labor, and veggies to over two dozen Seattle food banks, meals programs, and shelters in 2009. Over 27,400 pounds of produce donated last season! And though we can measure produce donations by numbers, we know that quantity isn’t everything. It’s the quality of your fresh, local, and organic produce that people appreciate most.

Here are some colorful charts showing the giving totals from gardens that reported to us in 2009 (http://www.solid-ground.org/Programs/Nutrition/Lettuce/Documents/P-PatchGGDonationCharts09.pdf). Consider posting these charts in your garden to inspire gardeners to join in growing and giving. If your P-Patch is missing, please contact Sadie (sadieb@solid-ground.org or 206-694-6751).

Also, the Lettuce Link website now has a page devoted to the P-Patch giving gardens and a blog for updates on Lettuce Link programs, projects, and news. Look for fantastic giving gardener spotlights in the spring!
P-Patch page, Lettuce Link site: http://www.solid-ground.org/PROGRAMS/NUTRITION/P-PATCH
Lettuce Link blog: http://lettucelink.blogspot.com

If you’re interested in getting more involved in growing food for the food bank, please be in touch:
Michelle Bates-Benetua, Lettuce Link Program Manager, michelleb@solid-ground.org , 206-694-6754 and
Sadie Beauregard, Lettuce Link Harvest Coordinator, sadieb@solid-ground.org , 206-694-6751