The Summit ACHIEVE Community Garden had its first harvest of the season last week where members of the community, including members of the Summit High School Planting Club, assisted in harvesting produce from our eight plots dedicated to donating to the food pantries in town – GRACE Food Pantry and Loaves & Fishes out of St. Teresa’s Church in Summit.
Debbie Graisser, Summit Area YMCA – Community Garden Coordinator, shared that “the Summit High School Planting Club has been involved with the Community Garden since 2020 and members have continued to be a great help in volunteering their time to maintain and harvest the plots. Through working with members of the community, they have also made some great connections with our seasoned gardeners and are learning a lot!”
In 2020, the Summit Area YMCA was approached by the Summit High School Planting Club to participate in the Community Garden. The group, comprised of approximately 25 high school students, was given a plot to grow produce for the food pantries in town. The students were active from start to finish in cleaning out beds, planting seedlings and harvesting produce. Thanks to the community members and Summit High School Planting Club students, the Community Garden was able to donate approximately 500lbs of fresh produce throughout the year!
Located on Beauvoir Place, the Community Garden has 56 plots available for our community members to grow organic food, including the eight plots dedicated to growing produce for donation. The garden sits on a parcel of land donated for use by Overlook Medical Center, and was partially funded by a grant to the Summit Area YMCA from the Centers for Disease Control’s ACHIEVE (Action Communities for Health, Innovation & Environmental Change) program. Additional support is provided by grants from the Overlook Foundation, the Summit Garden Club, and the Junior League of Summit. The goal of the Summit ACHIEVE Community Garden is to grow organic vegetables, fruits, and herbs to promote healthy eating.
To learn more about the Summit ACHIEVE Community Garden or get involved, visit: www.thesay.org/community-garden.
Questions? Contact:
Deb graisser
Community Garden Coordinator
SUMMIT AREA YMCA
sacg@thesay.org
(908) 738-2165
SUMMIT AREA YMCA
BERKELEY HEIGHTS YMCA | SUMMIT YMCA | THE LEARNING CIRCLE YMCA
The Summit Area YMCA is one of the area’s leading 501(c)3 charitable organizations. Founded in 1886, the Summit Area YMCA has a history steeped in working side-by-side with our neighbors to ensure that everyone, regardless of age, income and background, has the opportunity to learn, grow and thrive. Each year, we serve more than 15,000 individuals with our free and fee-based programs and services in an area spanning the communities of Berkeley Heights, New Providence, Millburn, Springfield, Short Hills, Summit, Gillette, and Stirling. Through the generosity of our members, donors, and partners, we are able to offer financial assistance for our programs and services to those with demonstrated need. We deepen our impact each time we transform a life for the better and we couldn’t do it without you. Help us do more together by making a donation online today!
