Middlesex County’s Office of Extension Services will present “Getting Healthy Food to Those in Need: A Symposium for Food Pantries and Soup Kitchens” at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, July 6 at the EARTH Center in Davidsons Mill Pond Park in South Brunswick. The conference is free, but registration is required by July 1.
The purpose of the symposium is to assist food pantries, soup kitchens, social service agencies and churches throughout Middlesex County in being successful providers of food to those in need.
The first part of the evening will be an introduction to USDA programs aimed at low-income residents, and their families. Programs include EFNEP and SNAP-Ed. The relationships between food sources and distributors will then be discussed by two groups who rely on volunteer efforts, the Farmers Against Hunger division of the New Jersey Ag Society and MCFOODS, the county food bank.
The second half of the evening will focus on efforts by some food pantries to create community gardens, so that those they serve will have fresh produce. Advice on gardening practices and composting will be discussed during a tour of the Master Gardeners’ demonstration gardens. A gardening Q & A session will follow.
To register or for additional information, call the Middlesex County EARTH Center at 732-398-5273 or e-mail Janice.tonkery@co.middlesex.nj.us.