Editor,

We’ve had an amazing year in the community gardens that contribute fresh produce to the Good Cheer Food Bank. Our appreciation to all those who helped food bank clients have access to fresh, healthy vegetables.

In total, over 24,000 pounds of produce was donated to the food bank from our community through a network of gardens, farms and gleaning. Just the Good Cheer Garden alone produced over 7,000 pounds — a record.

We’d like to thank the Community Gardening Leadership Training apprentices who helped grow and distribute the produce: Camille Green at the Good Cheer Garden, Lissa Firor at the Food Bank, Casey Jackson at the South Whidbey School District Gardens and Alexa Macaulay at the Whidbey Institute Westgarden. We couldn’t have done it without them.

We also want to thank Nancy Scoles, Richard Renninger, Mary Richardson and the Whidbey Institute for offering accommodations to the apprentices. Because of their generosity, we were able to provide housing to these young people as they served our community.

Our partners in the Fresh Food on the Table program — the Whidbey Institute and the South Whidbey School District — helped sponsor the apprentices, and contributed over 2,000 pounds of fresh veggies grown in their gardens to the Food Bank.

Market farmers from the Bayview Farmers Market, the CSA at Greenbank Farm, Gleeful Gleaners, Rotary Gleaners, and home gardeners and local farmers donated 14,000 pounds of fresh vegetables and fruits to the Food Bank.

Last but not least, dozens of volunteers contributed their hard work and good spirits to growing and harvesting the gardens.

We also want to thank all those who donated money to support the program. A special thanks to our Honey Bee sponsors: Whidbey Island Bank, Whidbey Telecom and the Trinity Lutheran Church.

Because of community support, Good Cheer is now able to purchase winter produce from Deep Harvest Farm and Ebb Tide Produce to keep fresh food on the table year round.

Together, everyone helped to provide fresh, healthy local produce to those in our community who would otherwise not have access. We have been personally thanked for this nutritious produce countless times by the individuals and families who use the Good Cheer Food Bank. We want to share that gratitude with all those who have helped support Good Cheer and the Fresh Food on the Table program.

With great appreciation,

KATHY MCCABE

Executive Director, Good Cheer Food Bank

CARY PETERSON

Good Cheer Garden Coordinator