Jones Garden brings fresh food, people together in Staunton

STAUNTON, Va. (WHSV) – Just past 12 months, a Staunton woman opened up a group garden and very little did she know how substantially it would increase.

”The complete strategy guiding Jones Garden is to provide very affordable contemporary foodstuff accessibility for persons in Staunton,” Naomi Jones, creator of Jones Back garden said.

She also hoped to inspire much healthier options for the community.

“To make it possible for individuals to you know be a small much more self-sustainable and get more hands-on in the agricultural course of action from planting the seed to observing the plant grow to choosing and harvesting the food items, cooking it,” Jones reported.

Having said that, Jones realized not absolutely everyone could accessibility the gardens. She said shoppers would occur to the gardens but weren’t in a position to select their own create and she would set it in their vehicles for them.

This gave Jones an plan: to deliver her produce to men and women who can’t get it on their own.

“Health and wellness is a major offer for aged populations,” Jones explained.

So, she created a foods shipping and delivery assistance where by she and volunteers provide fresh develop to people today in the community.

Jones said it started with just the aged group closest to the gardens but has given that grown far more than she considered it would.

The deliveries happen each individual Saturday afternoon. Volunteers go away the fresh new deliver on doorsteps.

“All of our meals shipping and delivery participants get a compost bucket and when they compost with us or when any one composts with us, you get totally free make. You can arrive to the backyard garden and trade it for some no cost generate,” Jones explained.

Jones reported members of the food stuff delivery company have provided constructive feedback about the system.

“I experienced folks that explained mobility issues was a explanation for signing up for the program. Some persons explained they just wished to take in extra greens which was wonderful,” Jones mentioned.

Nevertheless, she explained quite a few are thankful that the gardens enable them economically.

“The simple fact that we’re offering them contemporary produce every single solitary week is helpful especially since foodstuff price ranges have long gone up so significantly currently just after COVID. So, that’s been a huge advantage for some of our contributors,” Jones mentioned.

Jones Garden is located on Montgomery Avenue in Staunton.

The yard has market place times on Friday from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

These who volunteer to help with the gardens can accessibility them at any time.

To volunteer with Jones Back garden or sign-up for the meals shipping program go to the garden’s website.

Copyright 2022 WHSV. All rights reserved.