Giving from the Garden

If your garden is like mine, there's an avalanche of tomatoes, peppers and squash tumbling from all those little plants you lovingly planted in spring and babied through the summer, and you're enjoying every single bite that goes into your mouth.

But if you're approaching tomato overload or you've had it up to here with zucchini, instead of leaving them on your neighbors' doorsteps at midnight you can share the love with those less fortunate in our community through Plant a Row for the Hungry, a campaign sponsored by the Garden Writers Association in cooperation with the Oregon Food Bank. All you have to do is drop off your produce at a hunger relief agency in your area (list here) or contact Eric Sopkin by phone at 503-282-0555 ext. 260, or e-mail.

The produce most in demand include tomatoes (picked while slightly under-ripe), green beans, winter squash (acorn or butternut), garlic, hot peppers, cucumbers, zucchini (woo hoo!), collard greens and onions.

Another program, Produce for People, works through the Community Gardens of the city's parks and recreation department to donate extra produce that members have grown on their community garden plots. To donate, check with your community garden coordinator or contact the Community Gardens Office at the city by phone, 503-823-1612, or e-mail.