Local Food Resource Hubs Memberships Now Open to Minneapolis Residents

Hubs support gardeners to grow healthy, sustainable, local food March 2, 2012

City of Minneapolis News Release

(MINNEAPOLIS) Minneapolis residents who want to grow their own food but don’t know how, and residents interested in low-cost seeds, seedlings, compost or classes can now become part of a neighborhood-based support network of urban gardeners and local food advocates.

The Local Food Resource Hubs Network, an initiative from the City of Minneapolis, community partners and Gardening Matters, is now in its second year. The hubs are designed to get Minneapolis residents and community gardeners the tools and education they need to grow, preserve, cook and compost their own fresh produce by offering supplies, classes and connections. Hubs benefit communities by connecting neighbors and have been established in four Minneapolis areas: north Minneapolis, south Minneapolis, Phillips and Ventura Village, and northeast and southeast Minneapolis.

Residents can join a Local Food Resource Hub and select the type of membership. Prices vary. Small garden memberships will receive 10 packets of seeds and 12 seedlings, medium garden memberships will receive 20 packets of seeds and 24 seedlings, and large garden memberships will receive 50 packs of seeds and 72 seedlings.

Members can pick up packets of seeds and seedlings at their hub’s distribution event this spring. Seeds and plants will be distributed April 14 and May 19. More information about distribution events will be sent to members and be available at www.gardeningmatters.org.

Memberships are available on a first-come, first-served basis. To reserve a membership spot, residents can contact Gardening Matters at 612-821-2358, download the membership form (in English, Spanish, Hmong or Somali), or sign up online at www.gardeningmatters.org/hubs. Members plan and organize hub activities and events throughout the year. For more details, visit www.gardeningmatters.org/hubs/hubs-events-calendar. Last year the Local Food Resource Hubs Network served more than 600 members, distributed more than 14,000 packets of seeds and 15,000 seedlings, and expanded residents’ food growing skills through classes and training. To learn more, visit www.minneapolismn.gov/health/homegrown/index.htm.

The Local Food Resource Hubs Network was a recommendation from Homegrown Minneapolis, a comprehensive initiative of the City of Minneapolis to improve the growing, processing, distributing, eating and composting of healthy, sustainable, locally grown foods within the city. The Local Food Resource Hubs Network is made possible by funding from the Minneapolis Department of Health and Family Support and the Minnesota Department of Health’s Communities Putting Prevention to Work initiative of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.


[where: Sustainable Food, St. Paul, Minneapolis, Twin Cities, Minnesota]