Growing Healthier Communities through Gardening

Fighting food insecurity doesn’t have to be confined to a warehouse; sometimes, the solution can be found in the soil. 

When most people think of a food bank, they picture shelves lined with cereal boxes, prepackaged snacks and canned goods, not always fresh produce. In addition to distributing millions of pounds of fresh fruits and vegetables yearly, United Food Bank has also created a volunteer-run garden that helps bring fresh, homegrown produce directly into the community. 

The roots of United Food Bank’s garden trace back to the COVID-19 pandemic. Like many, John Seli, a longtime United Food Bank supporter and former board member, found himself itching for ways to stay connected with the community during the unique time when traditional volunteer opportunities were scarce. Having always been interested in gardening, Seli contacted Urban Farming Education to learn how United Food Bank could start. With the support of Urban Farming Education and the encouragement from fellow volunteers, such as his wife Leanne Seli and Mary Shelby, the garden gradually started to come to life.

Today, the garden produces fresh vegetables like lettuce, carrots and tomatoes, which are harvested and delivered to United Food Bank’s partner agency, Paz de Cristo. With this delivery of freshly grown produce, Paz de Cristo incorporates everything into its side salads, serving them during their daily dinner services 365 days a year.

In addition to vegetables, the gardening crew has also found success in growing and drying herbs. Some herbs, such as thyme, basil and cilantro are good to grow during the summer when nothing else can withstand the heat. Once harvested and dried, they become a valuable addition to the meals Paz de Cristo prepares.  

But the garden is more than just rows of plants; it’s a place of connection to the land, the community and personal growth. For volunteers like Mary Shelby, United Food Bank’s resident green thumb, the garden has become a deeply personal space for her.

“To me, gardening has a lot of benefits,” Shelby shared with a smile. “You can relieve stress, grow your own food, especially with prices the way they are right now, and just enjoy the quality of produce.”

Shelby added, “There is a huge difference between eating a tomato from the store. When you eat a tomato from your own garden, there’s a big difference in the taste.” 

The garden’s impacts stretch far beyond the food bank. With the rising cost of groceries, eating healthy foods and buying produce can feel like a luxury for many. As a result, many food-insecure households must rely on inexpensive, processed foods that lack the essential nutrients needed for long-term health. United Food Bank is helping to bridge this gap so neighbors can live healthier and happier lives.

“Promoting healthy eating and fresh produce is core to the food bank’s mission,” shared Seli. “Getting that into the food stream that we distribute and helping people do it on their own is something we can all help with regarding community food supply.” 

And that’s exactly what the garden has done. 

Though it has only been around for a few years, it has blossomed into a space for nourishment, education and empowerment for those facing food insecurity. Serving as a “demonstration garden,” this hands-on learning opportunity teaches the community how to grow vegetables at home, even with limited space. These skills promote healthier eating habits and help save people money in the long run. 

For those interested in learning how to garden, Shelby recommends downloading the University of Arizona’s Cooperative Extension planting guide. This guide outlines the best months for planting your favorite fruits and vegetables in Arizona’s unique climate.  

It only takes one seed to create a lasting impact. Whether you’re digging into the soil, drying herbs, or cheering on the efforts, every bit helps the planet and fights food insecurity. But if you don’t have a green thumb but want to get your hands dirty, United Food Bank is always looking for volunteers. Volunteers would be responsible for watering, harvesting and maintaining the garden, especially during the summer. If you are interested in helping, contact our Volunteer Coordinator, Sharai Highley, at shighley@unitedfoodbank.org.

We want to give a quick shout-out to 12News for featuring the garden on Arizona Midday! Click here to learn more.