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 2023, we will continue using organic methods that increase soil health and plant productivity to provide healthful food.  We will be caring for the first five apples trees at HHFB Gardens, donated by Bloomington Community Orchard, and offering some special programming with teens about soil health and organic potato production.

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 over 11 tons of produce from the HHFB garden and help increase community-wide access to fresh, nutritious foods.

• Training and support are provided during each volunteer session.
• Please dress for the weather, wear sturdy shoes, bring drinking water in refillable containers, sunscreen, hats, gloves if you wish to wear them, and anything else you need to take care of yourself outside.  We play in mud and shine, but cancel for storms. See Garden & Gleaning calendar for closings.
• An assortment of tools is provided, but if you have your favorites, feel free to bring them along

Why We Glean:

• 20% of all produce grown in commercial agriculture is lost because it is aesthetically not fit to sell.
• Perfectly edible fruits and vegetables are left in the fields to rot.
• This problem is significant in Indiana, where 303,440 households are food-insecure.

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.