CCFB Awards Cookfresh Grants to Community Gardens!
Cookfresh® is an assistance program designed for Community Gardens in Cook County to beautify their “places and palates.” The Cookfresh Community Urban Garden Grant program offered five $300.00 grants to support urban agriculturists seeking assistance with a community garden. The community gardens will receive $300 in the form of Cook County Farm Bureau “Cookfresh Funds”.
*Roots Community Garden located in Palatine: The garden is a collaboration among many community schools, businesses, churches, agencies and volunteers providing food for the underserved in Palatine while providing educational opportunities and hands-on activities for all volunteers. Grant funds will be used to purchase seeds, plantings, flowers and gardening supplies to be used in the garden.
*Growing Solutions Farm located in Chicago’s Near West Side neighborhood, is an urban ag and vocational learning site that is specifically designed for young adults who have Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). It is a 1.2-acre farm with over 100 raised beds, fruit trees, cooling and hoop house with classroom space. Grant funds will be used to purchase seedlings and mulch for the garden’s beds.
*SRB Community Spirit Garden located in Chicago’s Jefferson Park neighborhood is a volunteer community organization where members work in the garden. The garden’s harvests are then shared with a local church food pantry. Grant funds will be used to purchase plantings, garden tools, soil, compost and irrigation materials for the garden.
*Roots and Rays Community Garden located in Chicago’s Lower West Side neighborhood, is a neighborhood garden looking to create a garden area specifically for children. The garden will help children learn about and grow their own food. Grant funds will be used to purchase seeds, plantings and garden equipment, as well as supplies for the children’s area.
*Sauk Village Community Garden is located in Sauk Village. This community garden will join families to learn about gardening, healthy eating and cooking, planting to harvesting fresh vegetables, herbs and fruits while learning horticulture techniques. The garden looks to add more beds to extend their vegetable production. Grant funds will be used to purchase fresh soil, tomato cages, mulch and garden tools.