HARRISBURG – Sen. Elder Vogel, Jr. (R-47) and Rep. Emily Kinkead (D-20), co-chairs of the Hunger Caucus, gathered at the Capitol Hunger Garden to highlight how the Harrisburg community benefits from the produce grown in the Hunger Garden.
In addition to Vogel and Kinkead, remarks were also offered by Peter Flynn, President of the Pennsylvania Vegetable Growers Association; Mieshia Jackson, Director of Operations for Downtown Daily Bread; Rep. Dan Moul, minority chair of the House Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee; and Joe Arthur, CEO of the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank.
“Food insecurity affects all walks of life here in Pennsylvania,” said Sen. Elder Vogel, Jr. (R-47). “While potential remedies to this complex issue take time to craft both on the state and federal levels, this garden continues to offer some immediate relief to those struggling with hunger in the Harrisburg area. As a farmer, I understand what it means to share the bounty and the Hunger Garden time and time again has proven to be a shining example of how healthy food options can be shared amongst the community.”
“With food insecurity continuing to get worse since the pandemic and not better, the message of the Hunger Garden could not be more important,” said Rep. Emily Kinkead (D-20). “The Hunger Garden stands as a physical embodiment of the mission of the Legislative Hunger Caucus – to combat hunger across the state, improve access to nutrition programs, and educate Pennsylvania legislators on food insecurity issues. While uncertainty for funding at the federal level looms, it is now that we in Pennsylvania must step into the gap to end hunger in our Commonwealth.”
Last year’s Hunger Garden bounty yielded a total of over 727 pounds of produce which consisted of many different vegetables and herbs including tomatoes, eggplant, cucumbers, carrots, bush beans, Swiss chard, dill, rosemary, thyme, pole beans, onions, and various assortments of peppers.
Vogel added, “I want to thank the Department of General Services, Penn State Master Gardeners, PA Vegetable Growers Association, and our volunteers who help make this garden a reality each season.”
Plants for this year’s garden were supplied by the Pennsylvania Vegetable Growers Association and volunteers from the Penn State Cooperative Extension Master Gardeners will assist with maintaining the garden throughout the summer until the season ends in early October.
Established in 2008, the legislative Hunger Caucus seeks to raise awareness for hunger. The most visible of this caucus’s initiatives is the Capitol Hunger Garden, which is a joint effort of the Pennsylvania General Assembly.
To watch the full Hunger Garden opening ceremony, click here.
CONTACT: Abby Chiumento, 717-787-3076 (Sen. Elder Vogel, Jr.)
Aaron Troutman, 717-480-9166 (Rep. Emily Kinkead)