HHFB’s Garden & Gleaning programs provide locally-grown fresh fruits and vegetables for free distribution to those in need of emergency food assistance. Volunteers and community supporters are the most important asset our programs have; the more volunteers we have, the more fresh food we can raise and rescue.
No gardening experience is necessary. We also welcome school, church and other community groups. Volunteers are needed most during the main growing season. However, volunteers can schedule winter shifts to learn about and help with garden planning and program development. Join us any time during regular garden volunteer hours:
To schedule, please call Cory at (812) 334-8374
or email garden@hhfoodbank.org.
Our Garden Program sprouted from HHFB’s ongoing effort to increase the quantity and nutritional quality of food provided to area food pantries and soup kitchens. Growing our own produce allows us to bring in varieties of fresh fruits and vegetables that are most needed at the food bank.
In 2013, we moved the gardens to Will Detmer Park. Monroe County Parks has generously granted us the long-term use of a 1 ¼ acre parcel of land, along with a shed, washing station, irrigation, a large compost area, deer fencing, and the use of a tractor. Our organic garden, at 4140 W. Vernal Pike, is just a mile from the food bank’s main facility.
Our early years on the site focused on building soil fertility by cover cropping and adding tons of compost that we make on-site.
In 2025, we will again be offering garden programming during the growing season, May – November. We use sustainable and low impact methods to cultivate soil and plant health. Regular drop-in volunteer hours are hosted twice a week and are a great opportunity to pick up some new skills or just participate in community. HHFB Garden also hosts age appropriate programming for youth and teens to learn about what we do, sustainable gardening, and food security.
Volunteering in our garden is a wonderful way to learn and share with other volunteers and our Garden Coordinator about sustainable growing and organic practices as well as provide healthy fresh produce for those most in need.
Come for the day or become one of our “regulars” as we grow and harvest produce from the HHFB garden and help increase community-wide access to fresh, nutritious foods.
Hoosier Hills Food Bank occasionally partners with local farmers and community volunteers to harvest excess produce. In turn, we have more fresh, local, and nutritious produce to distribute to our 90-plus member agencies. In seven years of gleaning, we’ve partnered with six different farms and over 80 volunteers to harvest 150,975 pounds of fresh local fruits and vegetables. Thanks to Harriman Farms, almost half of this came in 2015.
Check out this Garden and Gleaning video, generously made by Max, Frankie, and Jennifer Vickers during our 2012 season.
Driving Directions
The HHFB Garden is located just west of Bloomington at 4140 W. Vernal Pike.
