Chinquapin Organic Gardens Food Bank Project
This year marks the 7th anniversary of the Food Bank Project!
The Chinquapin Organic Gardens Food Bank Project relies on a group of very committed volunteers that meet on Saturday mornings to gather and deliver donations. We are looking for volunteers to help. Whether you can help regularly or only occasionally, your time makes a difference. Volunteer opportunities include watering, weeding, picking and packing produce, and delivering to the food bank. Sign up to volunteer!
Want to donate produce? Drop off your donations Saturday mornings from 8-9 a.m.
For more information, follow our Instagram page. Look for emails from Anne Saul during the growing season regarding each week’s work. Have more questions? Email Stacey Potosnak or call her at 973-464-3510.
HISTORY OF THE FOOD BANK PROJECT
The Chinquapin Organic Gardens Food Bank Project kicked off its inaugural season in May 2020 to grow, harvest, package and deliver fresh organic produce and herbs to a local food bank. That year, the project donated four to six large boxes of produce weekly. In 2021, with the help of the Chinquapin gardening community, the project increased the donations to eight to 12 large boxes each week.
At the end of the 2021 season, the City of Alexandria approved a request to dedicate two Chinquapin plots — G3, C3 — for use by the Food Bank Project. Since 2022, the project has grown its own produce, received numerous donations from fellow gardeners, picked and packaged boxes for immediate use by the local food bank.
Additionally, it manages a vacation collection program. This program allows fellow gardeners to give permission for the Food Bank Project to pick and pack ripe produce directly from their plots when they plan to be away for any period of time
Over time, the Food Bank Project has helped address food insecurity in Alexandria while strengthening pride, camaraderie, and community among Chinquapin gardeners.
Join us in making the 2026 season a success.
The Chinquapin Organic Gardens Food Bank Project relies on a group of very committed volunteers that meet on Saturday mornings to gather and deliver donations. We are looking for volunteers to help. Whether you can help regularly or only occasionally, your time makes a difference. Volunteer opportunities include watering, weeding, picking and packing produce, and delivering to the food bank. Sign up to volunteer!
Want to donate produce? Drop off your donations Saturday mornings from 8-9 a.m.
For more information, follow our Instagram page. Look for emails from Anne Saul during the growing season regarding each week’s work. Have more questions? Email Stacey Potosnak or call her at 973-464-3510.
HISTORY OF THE FOOD BANK PROJECT
The Chinquapin Organic Gardens Food Bank Project kicked off its inaugural season in May 2020 to grow, harvest, package and deliver fresh organic produce and herbs to a local food bank. That year, the project donated four to six large boxes of produce weekly. In 2021, with the help of the Chinquapin gardening community, the project increased the donations to eight to 12 large boxes each week.
At the end of the 2021 season, the City of Alexandria approved a request to dedicate two Chinquapin plots — G3, C3 — for use by the Food Bank Project. Since 2022, the project has grown its own produce, received numerous donations from fellow gardeners, picked and packaged boxes for immediate use by the local food bank.
Additionally, it manages a vacation collection program. This program allows fellow gardeners to give permission for the Food Bank Project to pick and pack ripe produce directly from their plots when they plan to be away for any period of time
Over time, the Food Bank Project has helped address food insecurity in Alexandria while strengthening pride, camaraderie, and community among Chinquapin gardeners.
Join us in making the 2026 season a success.
