Park District Museum's Garden Helps Supply Area Food Pantries

When the started its Heritage Garden three years ago, the program was purely educational; classes were held several times a year so residents could learn the basics of heirloom vegetable gardening.

This year, however, the garden served a greater purpose.

With the help of the University of Illinois' Master Gardeners Extension Program, the Heritage Garden was more bountiful than ever, producing hundreds of pounds of heirloom vegetables that were harvested and donated to several local food pantries.

"It's been an incredible partnership. We have a beautiful garden and great educational programs, and the community benefits as well," said Julie Bunke, museum supervisor for the . 

For the past three years, the heirloom garden has been tended by museum volunteers, most of whom had no formal training in horticulture. This winter, Bunke was contacted by a volunteer from the Master Gardeners Extension Program who was interested in taking on a new project.

"I was more than happy to let them come in and work their magic green thumb," Bunke said.

Despite the drought that plagued the Chicago area this summer, the Heritage Garden flourished under the watch of the master gardeners. The plants produced hundreds of pounds of tomatoes, onions, broccoli, eggplant, peas, carrots, beets, pumpkins, cucumber and more.

Although the garden was used for two educational programs this summer, it's primary purpose—for the first time—was to supply local food pantries with much-needed fresh produce. Donations were sent to Immanuel Lutheran Church and , both in Downers Grove, as well as the People's Resource Center in Westmont.

Deacon Carl Schumacher, food pantry coordinator at St. Joseph, said the vegetables were "a great help" to the pantry during the slow summer months.

"We're very grateful for the generous donations," Schumacher said. "We normally get vegetables from Trader Joe's, but they're not fresh off the vines like the ones we got from the museum this summer. It was a great treat."

The master gardeners will continue to harvest through October.

Bunke said the program has been so successful this summer that she hopes it continues for years to come.

"It's a win-win thing for us, the gardeners and the food pantries," she said. "We love the program, and think it's a great thing for everyone involved."

The master gardeners will host another educational program at the museum garden from 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 15. Volunteers will be on hand to discuss preservation techniques, strategies for extending the harvest season, and how to prevent and control problems with tomatoes.

The cost for the program is $5 for residents, and $8 for non-residents. Registration is required at ,  935 Maple Ave.; the , 4500 Belmont Road; or online at www.dgparks.org.

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