Over 2,000 pounds of Fresh Produce Delivered to North Fulton Community Charities

The largest weekly donation of 2020 occurred in July

Written by Tracy Begley, Website and Marketing Specialist
August 5, 2020

Despite the challenges of limited volunteers due to COVID-19, the Unity Garden at the Chattahoochee Nature Center (CNC) continues to provide fresh produce to North Fulton Community Charities (NFCC) on a weekly basis. The largest weekly donation in 2020 occurred in July with a 707.5 pound harvest!

Vegetables picked and lined up in baskets
Weekly produce harvested

The total amount harvested in July was 2,230 pounds and included squash, zucchini, cucumbers, eggplant, heirloom tomatoes, cherry tomatoes, hot and sweet peppers, okra, kale, green beans, turnips, basil, and garlic.

Christopher Horacek, Unity Garden and Schools Horticulturist, said, “In July, 7 varieties of tomatoes and 9 varieties of peppers were harvested.”

The Unity Garden is CNC’s quarter-acre outdoor classroom and urban farm and is in operation year round. Everything grown in the garden is donated to North Fulton Community Charities, making CNC one of the largest providers of fresh produce to a food pantry in the region.

Horacek shared, “July is a peak harvest month so we were fortunate to have 2-6 volunteers assist with harvesting weekly and some even helped harvest twice in a week. It is awesome to have volunteers helping in the garden again.”

Yellow squash harvested in the garden

The Chattahoochee Nature Center recently began to allow volunteers to return to the property in limited capacity. Volunteers must meet CNC COVID-19 protocols, based on CDC and State of Georgia guidelines, before returning to the campus, as well as adhere to operational changes while on the property. Social distancing protocols are in place for all programs and volunteers and staff are wearing masks on the property.

Plants become art

DeAnn Fordham, Senior Director of Development and Marketing, said, “Volunteers are critical to the operation and success of the Center. Each year, more than 500 volunteers contribute 27,000 hours helping the Center implement programs and events, handle administrative work and assist our operational team on the grounds. COVID-19 has greatly impacted our ability to work with volunteers, many who are like family, and there service is greatly missed by our team. We are glad to have volunteers slowly returning to the property.”

The Chattahoochee Nature Center is proud to continue to partner with North Fulton Community Charities and contribute to the health and well-being of the families they serve. If you would like to support the Unity Garden, you can make a donation here.

Want to learn more about the partnership between the Chattahoochee Nature Center and North Fulton Community Charities please visit the following:

The Unity Garden Continues to Provide Fresh Produce to Local Food Bank – May 22, 2020

CNC donates 340 lbs. to local food bank -April 15, 2020

CNC donates fresh produce to the NFCC food pantry – video