Plant A Row for the Hungry

Plant a Row for the Hungry (PAR) is a national program created by The Garden Writers Association that encourages garden communities and individuals to donate fresh vegetables, fruit, and herbs to people in need. Inter-Faith Food Shuttle is the PAR partner in the Triangle, distributing your produce to local food pantries, shelters, and other hunger-relief organizations.

This is an opportunity for anyone with a garden no matter the size to make a difference in the lives of your neighbors. Just one pound of your fresh produce supplements four meals.

Why Plant a Row?

By Planting a Row, you help people experiencing hunger and food insecurity gain access to fresh, local, nutritious produce!

Paradoxically, people experiencing hunger and food insecurity are the most likely to be overweight and obese, and also to suffer from chronic illness. North Carolina has some the highest rates of obesity and chronic disease in the US, and the most limited access to healthy, fresh foods.

Facts & Figures

Studies show a strong link between food insecurity and obesity and chronic illness. Many believe this is due in part to access and cost barriers to fruits and vegetables among the food insecure.

Approximately 30.3% of children ages 6 to 11 are overweight and 15.3% are obese. (American Obesity Association, 2009)

At 20.3% in 2009, NC ranks second highest in the nation for food insecurity in children under age 5. (Feeding America, 2009)

Gardening provides physical activity, stress relief, family bonding, community building, learning opportunities, fresh food for healthy eating, time outdoors, and FUN!

How to Enroll

Sign up for Plant a Row through our Volunteer page. Select Plant a Row, and enter "Member" in the comments section. 

Volunteering for Plant a Row

We often need volunteers for outreach, to sign up new PAR members at events. We also need volunteers to pick up donations from drop-off sites (stores and farmers markets). To volunteer for Plant a Row, on our Volunteer page, select Plant a Row, and enter in the comments section, "Pick up" or "Events."

Donate Produce

With drop-off sites in Wake, Durham, and Chatham counties, donating your fresh produce is easy. Deliver it to one of the locations below, during scheduled drop-off times.

Drop-Off Sites

View Plant a Row for the Hungry Triangle Drop-Off Sites in a larger map

Guidelines for handling fresh fruits and vegetables:
•    Pick early in the day for best quality.
•    Keep produce out of the heat, or in shade.
•    For delicate produce like tomatoes and berries, avoid deep containers; the weight on top damages the produce below.
•    Deliver soon after harvest to retain quality.

Safety Guidelines

We cannot accept produce grown using animal manure not composted to USDA Organic standards or pesticides not certified organic.

Thanks to Our Partners

Grow and Share -- Grow and Share provides transplants to gardeners who grow to feed the hungry. Visit their website growandshare.org to find out about transplant giveaways.