October 06 2010
Posted in Share It - Southern Oregon

Photo: Rotary First Harvest

In March 2009, octogenarian Ned Schaaf stood at the Ashland Rotary meeting and said, "I have some land where we could grow produce and people are hungry. Who wants to help?" Rotarian Jeanne Stallman stepped up to the challenge.

"I know nothing about gardening but I do know how to send emails," says Stallman, who now coordinates the needs of the chapter's garden. Ned and his wife Stella provide the daily nurturing a garden needs, like ongoing watering, and Ashland and Lithia Spring Rotarians and community members meet at the garden twice weekly and provide the rest of the labor. The result is fresh produce that the Ashland Food Bank distributes to those in need.

 
Established in 2003, Rotary First Harvest of Oregon, Inc. now has 10 gardens contributing fresh produce. Business partnerships with Harry and David, Sherm's Thunderbird and Klamath Potato Growers multiplied the food donations and enabled the organization to provide meat as well. To date, they've donated more than a half-million pounds of food to organizations like ACCESS and Ashland Food Bank, aiming to alleviate the growing hunger problem in Southern Oregon and Northern California.

Citing fresh foods' importance for health, Sharon Parks, First Harvest interim president, says, "We're addressing the most basic of basic needs. It's missing from so many needy people's diets right now. Without it, children can't learn."

Inspiration is the hallmark of this program. Parks established the first Rotary garden in Klamath Falls when she saw bananas being thrown away at a supermarket. To date, 21 clubs participate, a number Parks expects to grow along with additional businesses and schools. Hunger has grown with the recession, so more community members are welcome to connect with the effort. To find out more, find Rotary First Harvest of Oregon on Facebook, or contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

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