Center Parc Credit Union Sponsors Homestead Harvest Giveaway June 5

SAVANNAH, Ga. - June 2, 2021 - PRLog -- (GARDEN CITY, GA) The Garden City Homestead Association's community garden will share its fourth harvest with the community at 11 a.m. Saturday, June 5, in a program that will include food demonstrations and education sessions. The Garden City public is invited to share in a spring vegetable harvest to be held at the garden, 4115 Second St. in Garden City.

Dorothy Dupree, MS, RD, LD, who is the school food nutrition coordinator and registered dietician with Savannah-Chatham County Public Schools, will use produce from the garden to showcase how to create a simple cool cucumber and tomato salad.

Belinda Baptiste, owner of Unforgettable Bakery, will be on hand to demonstrate "Let Food Be Thy Medicine"—a stir-fry presentation on keeping the nutrients without sacrificing flavor—utilizing cabbage, tomatoes, and snap beans from the garden.

Local families have been concerned about getting food on their tables in the past year, and have been reaching out to local organizations for help. During the first 11 months of 2020, food assistance was the top service people sought using the online health and social services network HeroHelpMe.com, with 627 searches. Another 97 searches were for Farm Truck 912's Full Plate Program, demonstrating food security concerns undoubtedly exacerbated by COVID-19.

The Garden City Homestead Association garden is one of nine community gardens throughout Chatham County to which Center Parc Credit Union has donated approximately $22,500 in sponsorship dollars. Representatives of the non-profit financial institution will be on hand for Saturday's program. Center Parc also plans to launch its own community garden this year.

"Community gardens are becoming increasingly popular and can help communities increase their supply of fresh, healthy produce," said Donna Williams, community development liaison for Center Parc Credit Union. "We embraced the concept even before the COVID-19 outbreak, and the pandemic has only made this project more important."

In addition to increasing access to fresh food, community gardens beautify neighborhoods, encourage physical activity and educate the public about nutrition, Williams said.

For more information about supporting the garden as a volunteer or through donations, visit the Garden City Homestead Association Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/Garden-City-Homestead-Associatio....