YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – The Healthy Community Partnership’s Healthy Food Action Team is launching Plant Power! A Food Sovereignty Initiative this month.
The initiative aims to help community members grow their own fresh food through free plant and seed giveaways and education on growing at home. The program is designed to empower community members to eat healthier and support their local food system.
Throughout June, members of the Healthy Food Action Team will distribute free plants at farmers markets and community events in both Youngstown and Warren. Plants being given away include, but are not limited to, nasturtiums, marigolds, basil, kale, tomatoes, okra, sage and collards, which were all purchased from locally owned and operated greenhouses.
Community members can pick up their plants at the following locations while supplies last:
- June 14: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Quinby Park Juneteenth Celebration, 525 Austin Ave. SW Warren.
- June 17: 3-6 p.m., Warren Farmers Market, 347 N. Park Ave., Warren.
- June 22: 2-5 p.m., Seed Donation Event, Pocket Park at the corner of Mcguffey and Berkeley, Youngstown.
- June 28: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Cornerstone Collective Market, Glenwood Corridor parking lot, 2649 Glenwood Ave., Youngstown.
During the plant giveaway at the Warren Farmers Market on June 17, the team will also raffle off several $25 gift cards for use at the farmers market.
For more information, email Robin Perry, network coordinator for the Healthy Community Partnership, at rperry@hcpmahoningvalley.com.