Elyria residents have access to fresh and free produce at the South Branch Library community garden.
The project was a collaboration between Elyria Public Library, Hope for Futures, Our F.A.M.I.L.Y (Fathers and Mothers Involved in Local Youth), and Invest Elyria.
A Greens Day Harvest event was held Sept. 27at the Elyria Public Library South Branch, 340 15th St.
The garden is located in the South Branch Library’s parking lot and features a wide variety of fruits and vegetables.
The plot is in conjunction with the community garden on Middle Avenue, said Alex Marks, executive director for Hope for Futures.
“Our goal behind these events is to spread awareness and attention that produce is available for people to come and get,” Marks said. “This is for residents to come and pick what they want, when they want.”
Marks says they are currently transitioning the garden for fall produce.
“We’re right in the transition,” he said. “We’re going to be planting herbs, beets, radishes and other fall items.”
Treasurer and co-founder Bobby Taylor Sr. of Our F.A.M.I.L.Y organization says the product is based on community input.
“When we first began we asked the community what they wanted,” Taylor Sr. said. “We got it from the community and we’re bringing them things that align with their taste.”
Marks says they will be able to grow and provide vegetables until December.
“We’ll finish in December and be able to plant again between March and April,” he said. “It’s early for Ohio but will allow us to start harvesting again in May and June.”
He says they will supply the community during the winter when produce normally increases in price.
“Normally prices go up and the quality of selection in stores goes down so to be able to provide more time out of the year for local healthy and free produce is our goal,” said Marks.
Taylor Sr. says he just wants the community to know the garden is available for them.
“We’re making sure that the people in the community know what’s available for them,” he said. “Healthy communities need healthy people and healthy people need healthy food.”
