On June 15, 2009, Community Servings planted the seedlings for its first herb garden in 100 feet of planters along the side of our industrial kitchen and nutrition center in Jamaica Plain.  

In partnership with The Growing Connection (TGC), a grassroots project developed by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), Community Servings purchased Earth Boxes at a reduced price. In these high-tech growing systems that use less fertilizer and water than a conventional garden, we are growing herbs and arugula for our clients' meals and to sell at our new Farmers' Market, which opens on Sunday, July 12.  

The garden, which includes over a dozen herbs like parsley, sage, oregano, basil and garlic, will be tended by volunteers taking courses through the Boston Natural Areas Network to become Master Urban Gardeners. Members of Community Servings' network of friends and volunteers, including Stillman's Farm, The Food Project, Holli Van Nest, Mahoney's Garden Center in Brighton, Russell's Garden Center in Wayland, Linda Miller, and Deb Squires, donated the seedlings.

"With the help of The Growing Connection, our seedling donors, and the master urban gardeners who will tend the plantings, this herb garden truly represents 'community feeding community,'" said David B. Waters, Community Servings' CEO (pictured right).  "In these tough times, it's gratifying to find innovative and collaborative ways to feed our clients locally grown foods, engage volunteers, and earn revenue."

According to FAO Senior Liaison Officer Robert G. Patterson, who is a member of TGC's Coordination Team (pictured above, left), a partnership with Community Servings "represents a new resource of participants in our project.  In addition to working with schools or institutions, we are now able to provide tools and materials to people acting to help themselves and their neighbors to combat hunger and malnutrition.  We hope to replicate this new model across the U.S. and internationally, which is our mandate."