A local nonprofit, OLI Gardens, has teamed up with Metea Valley High School to install raised garden beds on campus as part of a larger effort to fight food insecurity in the community. This project aims to provide fresh, locally grown produce for food pantries and community members in need.
“We’re focused on finding ways to eliminate food insecurity,” said Fred Greenwood, founder of OLI Gardens. “We build and plant these beds and then hope the community, including people here at the school, will help maintain them. It’s all about giving back.”
Greenwood shared that OLI Gardens is also launching a Patriotic Gardens initiative, asking individuals with home gardens to donate extra produce to their local food banks. This new effort comes in response to the increased demand on food banks due to federal funding cuts.
“The idea is simple,” Greenwood explained. “We’re asking people to grow their own food, and it’s inexpensive. And we know that food banks struggle to keep up with demand. This project helps ease that burden.”
Founded in 2017, OLI Gardens works across several Illinois communities, including Joliet and Rockford. The organization is inspired by former First Lady Michelle Obama’s initiative to address food deserts, areas where fresh produce is often scarce. “Victory Gardens worked in World War I, and we’re showing that they can work again today,” said Greenwood.
For more information or to get involved, visit www.oligardens.org.
