Lacy Garden season began in May

The 26th season of Lacy Garden is underway! Volunteers gathered on May 22nd for a garden blessing with Fr. Brian Wilk and Cheryl Horne from Our Lady Queen of Peace Parish. Volunteers then held an informal reception to kick-off the season, share in community, and appreciate the generosity of the Lacy family who provides the land.

Lacy Garden is part of 10 Madison-area gardens that grow produce for pantries like the St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry. Last year, volunteers planted, grew, and harvested 10,000 lbs. of produce from this 1.25-acre sustainable garden.

Each year, volunteers plant over 50 different produce varieties including squash, watermelon, tomatoes, and peppers and are intentional about choosing a wide variety of produce to satisfy varying preferences of pantry users. The garden is an incredible resource for neighbors using the St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry as the produce they receive is locally grown, high quality, and extremely fresh. Food pantry users like Donna especially appreciate these vegetables during summer months. Read more here: Bountiful Blessings for Food Pantry Families.

During the harvest season, volunteers pick produce on Monday or Thursday evenings, deliver it to the pantry, and the food goes out to pantry users the very next day – can’t get much more fresh than that.

Want to help?

Many area businesses send employee groups to volunteer at Lacy Garden. If your business has an interest in volunteering, contact Garden Co-Leader Peg O’Donoghue at (217) 649-7210.