Pasadena gardener becomes a one woman food bank

[Liberal_in_LA]

The first beds to go in were tomatoes, eggplants and peppers. In between all the plants, Paca placed non-hybrid marigolds, which helped to keep pests away. After that came three varieties of squash, artichokes, cucumbers, watermelons, green beans and corn, all grown from organic seeds.

“When I started growing all this food, I knew it would be way more than one person could eat,” Paca says, standing amid a garden bed planted with eight varieties of tomatoes. “I read about people losing their homes and jobs in this economy, and one day, I was walking around the neighborhood, wondering what to do with the produce.”

A few blocks away, near Washington Park, she came across her answer: a building with a sign that said, “Friends in Deed, Food Bank today.”

Now, every other week, she takes baskets of produce to Friends in Deed, a service organization for low-income and homeless people in northwest Pasadena. The group is run by the Ecumenical Council Pasadena Area Congregations.

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/home_blog/2010/10/virginia-paca.html

[pinto]

1. This is great. Passing it on as an example of one person's difference in the big picture.

:thumbsup:

:thumbsup:

Thanks for the post.

[dixiegrrrrl]

2. K&R

[Sienna86]

3. The power of one

Nice story.

[malaise]

4. The smile on her face speaks volumes

An inspiring story. :applause:

[kestrel91316]

5. She'll no doubt be cited for running an illegal agricultural business

within city limits soon.

[Kablooie]

7. There is another family in Pasadena that runs a suburban farm too.

Their surburban yard is tightly packed and organized with vegetables of all types.
They sell their produce, not donate it, but it's what supports the family.
They've been selling it for years.

[kestrel91316]

8. Yeah, i know all about them, Path to Freedom Gervais family....

[dixiegrrrrl]

6. kicking.

I had a small organic farm for years, and know the joy of sharing nutrient dense food with others.http://www.market-ticker.org/akcs-www?blog=Market-Tickerhttp://www.market-ticker.org/akcs-www?blog=Market-Ticker

[pengillian101]

9. Sheer joy in her face, eh?

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/.a/6a00d8341c630a53ef0133f4d8cb68970b-500wi

[Scurrilous]

10. Kick

:kick: