Union County, NJ – A thriving organic produce garden fills the narrow front yard of Jewish Family Service of Central NJ, just off busy Westfield Avenue in Elizabeth.
In support of the nonprofit agency’s motto, “never send anyone away empty handed,” the garden yields 1,600 pounds of fresh, organic produce for donation to seniors and families in need every year, including walk-ins seeking emergency food packages.
Executive Director Thomas Beck (2nd l.) provided a tour of the garden’s late growing eggplant, broccoli, apples, collards and other crops to (l.-r.) Freeholder Vice Chairman Sergio Granados, Freeholder Bette Jane Kowalski and Jackie Park-Albaum of Groundwork Elizabeth.
This year the garden received a grant from the Union County Means Green Community Garden Grant program, a 2016 initiative of Chairman Bruce H. Bergen, to help continue its mission. The garden also features eight fruit trees donated by Williams Nursery.
For information about Chairman Bergen’s grant program visit ucnj.org or call the grant administrator, Groundwork Elizabeth, 908-558-1142.
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For all Union County programs and services visit ucnj.org, call the Public Info Line, 877-424-1234, email info@ucnj.org or use the online Contact Form.
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