The Rice Street Community Garden’s goal is to produce fresh, organically grown, sustainable crops for the food-insecure population of Transylvania County. All of this community-based garden’s produce is donated to a Brevard food bank called Sharing House and a soup kitchen known as Bread of Life, helping to feed the needy of the town and county.
The garden grew its first crops in 2012. By mid-August of its third year, RSCG had harvested and donated 1,729 pounds of produce, worth approximately $6,918 (based on a multiplier for organic produce developed by an Asheville-based organization called Gardens That Give).
Fast distribution helps ensure that food-insecure households receive the freshest organic produce. Crops grown include asparagus, banana peppers, broccoli, bell peppers, butternut squash, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, collard greens, cucumbers, green beans, kale, lettuce (various varieties), okra, onions, peas, potatoes, radishes, summer squash, sweet potatoes, Swiss chard, turnips, and zucchini.
Lake Toxaway Charities recently approved a grant for the Rice Street Community Garden. The grant will be used to purchase lumber for raised planter beds for the organic vegetable garden to help feed our neighbors in need.
