August 2020
" Tomatoes on the Vine ." Village Veggies. West Potsdam, NY.
Image courtesy of the Farm-to-Table Initiative led by Cornell Cooperative Extension of St. Lawrence County.
Donate Local Produce for National Farmers Market Week
Beginning this Sunday, St. Lawrence County farmers markets will be collecting produce to celebrate National Farmers Market Week as part of the statewide "Give Back NY" initiative.

To participate, simply shop at the Canton, Gouverneur, Hammond, Massena, and Potsdam farmers market and donate your produce purchases at the Market Managers' tables. It's that easy!

By buying directly from the market we can both financially support local farmers and provide a direct service to our neighbors facing food insecurity.

Follow along on Facebook or check your inbox for more information!
Double Your Money at the Markets
The Double Up Food Bucks program is up and running through the end of market season. Customers swiping their SNAP cards at the market can now receive up to $20 additional dollars to spend on fresh fruits and veggies.

So, how does it work?

1) Swipe your SNAP card at the Market Manager's table with one of our volunteers for however much you'd like to use at the market.

2) Receive $1 SNAP tokens to use at the markets like cash on any SNAP eligible items (produce, honey, maple syrup, eggs, meat, etc.).

3) We'll match your SNAP swipe (up to $20) with $2 silver Double Up tokens to use like cash on fresh fruits and vegetables.

For example, if you swipe your SNAP card for $16 you'll get $32 worth of tokens - 16 SNAP tokens ($1 each) and 8 silver Double Up tokens ($2 each).

If you swipe your SNAP card for $25, you'll get $45 total - $25 SNAP and $20 Double Up.

If you have any questions, our volunteers are there to help! Just stop by the Market Manager's table.
$2 Double Up Token (Front)
$2 Double Up Token (Back)
$1 SNAP Token
Volunteers help unload boxes and pack up cars at the food distribution on July 30 at St. Lawrence University.

Image credit: Carlene Doane
A Successful Food Distribution
Thank you to everyone who helped to make our Coronavirus Food Assistance Program distribution at SLU yesterday a success!

We are fortunate to partner with a variety of organizations around the county - including Cornell Cooperative Extension ,
Church & Community Program , and SLU Serves - to put on these distribution days.

We'd like to give a HUGE shoutout to our volunteers!
We had 32 volunteers who contributed over 100 combined hours for this event! They were able to distribute 900 boxes to provide aid for more than 1,000 individuals. Not only did they direct and pack the cars, they also helped unload all the boxes from the truck when the mechanical lift broke.

We are so grateful for our dedicated volunteers! We truly couldn't do this work without you.

If you're interested in volunteering with GardenShare, fill out an online application or email [email protected] for more information.
We will be hosting another food distribution on Thursday, August 6, from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm
at the Gouverneur Community Center
(4673 State Hwy. 58)
Get Your Senior Farmers Market Coupons
The St. Lawrence County Office for the Aging will be distributing Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program coupons during the first week of August. Check the schedule below for distribution dates and times.
Photo courtesy of the St. Lawrence County Office for the Aging, August Mature Living newsletter .
Fight Hunger YOUR Way! Coming this September...
This year, we're going virtual and turning our Fight Hunger 5K into Fight Hunger YOUR Way.

Although COVID-19 is preventing large in-person gatherings, we're looking at this as an opportunity to make our event even more accessible and engaging!

Mark your calendars for September 25-27 . We invite you help raise money for GardenShare's food justice efforts while engaging in your favorite form of physical activity. Whether you're in St. Lawrence County or another country, a marathon runner or still in a stroller, anyone and everyone is invited to participate in this event and support GardenShare.

With September being Hunger Action Month, this is the perfect way to get active and fight hunger your way - running, walking, biking, hiking, paddling, gardening, you name it!

Stay tuned for more information.
"It's a family affair." 2019 Fight Hunger 5K.
Photo credit: Saige Knight
Executive Director Search Continues
GardenShare's search for an Executive Director, which was suspended due to COVID-19 restrictions, continues. Applications will be considered on a rolling basis until the position is filled. Click   here  for more information.