Plant A Row started in Anchorage, Alaska, when garden columnist Jeff Lowenfels asked readers to plant an extra row of vegetables to donate to the local soup kitchen. Gardeners took up the challenge, and garden-fresh vegetables piled into the kitchen.

Plant a Row was launched in metro Atlanta in 1997. In that first year, growers donated 600 pounds of fresh fruit and vegetables. Last year, 105,888 pounds were donated by individual gardeners, community gardeners and orchard stewards to food pantries across metro Atlanta.

Would you like to donate produce to people in need? There are three steps to participating.

(1) Grow food! Whether you have a community garden plot, or just a few tomato plants, every pound helps.

(2) When your food is all grown up, take whatever you don’t need and donate it to one of these food pantries.

(3) Once you’ve dropped off your donation, record how much produce you donated here so we can keep track!

Other Options:

You may also call 211 to reach United Way, who can help you find a pantry nearby. Just be sure to ask whether they are accepting fresh produce.

Once you’ve made your donation, fill out our form below or email gardens@foodwellalliance.org so we can track your donations. Every pound counts!