Plant-A-Row helps local gardeners give back - WREX.com – Rockford’s News Leader

Local gardeners get a chance to feed the hungry this summer thanks to a local program.

Plant-A-Row for the Hungry is a cooperative program between U of I Extension Master Gardeners and local home gardeners around the area. The program gathers surplus produce and donates it to local food pantries to help the thousands of men, women, and children in the community that are food insecure.

Produce can be dropped off at the U of I Extension at 1040 North Second Street Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. year round. The following locations will also take donations from July through September:

• Durand Town Square (NE Corner) - Mondays, 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
• Rock River Valley Pantry, 421 S. Rockton Street - Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
• OSF Saint Anthony, Roxbury Road across the street from Rockford Gastroenterology - Tuesdays, 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
• Winnebago County Farm Bureau, 1925 S. Meridian Road - Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
• Edgebrook Farmers Market, Edgebrook Shopping Center - Wednesdays, 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

The program hopes to collect 15 tons of donated produce this year.