Growing Tomatoes For Community Gardens, Food Banks

By Growing Produce Staff|April 8, 2013

As part of a nationwide effort to help grow healthy food for community gardens and food banks, Seaside Mulch in Wilmington, NC, is partnering with the U.S. Composting Council (USCC) in the Million Tomato Compost Campaign by donating NuLeaf Organic Compost for the FoodCorps and Feast Down East garden expansion at a local elementary school.

The Million Tomato Compost Campaign is a program of the U.S. Composting Council, a national organization dedicated to the development, expansion, and promotion of composting, and it will bring together the nation’s compost manufacturers, community gardens, and food pantries to help build healthy soil that produces nutritious, sustainably grown local food for communities.

The school garden will be built on Thursday, April 11, 2013 by students, teachers, parents, and volunteers at Rachel Freeman Elementary School. “We’re excited to be playing a role in the Million Tomato Compost Campaign,” said Hackney Parker, president of Seaside Mulch.

Celebrity Chef Nathan Lyon, co-host of PBS’ “Growing a Greener World” and author of “Great Food Starts Fresh” is the spokesperson for the campaign, encouraging schools and community gardens to grow their own tomatoes in soil improved with compost. “I don’t think you can love local and sustainable food without loving compost too,” said Chef Nathan Lyon. “Joining the Million Tomato Compost Campaign is a great way for me to be a part of introducing people all around the country to nutritious food the whole family will love that is as healthy for the environment as it is for those who are eating it.”

People interested in the Million Tomato Compost Campaign can track the number of tomatoes grown and learn more about the program at www.buy-compost.com.