The Garden To Table program was created to provide individuals and families who struggle with food insecurity access to the resources necessary to grow their own healthy food supply. To be food insecure means you have a hard time getting enough affordable, nutritious food for yourself and/or your household.
- All participants must be residents of Dakota County
- There is no income requirement
- While plots are prioritized for families struggling with food insecurity, there are frequently additional plots available for volunteers who wish to grow food for The Open Door pantry, and interested volunteers are encouraged to apply. People looking for a community garden who are not food insecure or a volunteer may get a plot if available for $50 fee, and will not receive plants or seeds. The Open Door gardeners are prioritized first, volunteer gardeners second, and community gardeners third.
The Open Door provides TOD gardeners and
volunteer gardeners with:
- Garden space
- Access to water
- Tools
- Seeds and plants
- Compost
- Mulch
- Gardening classes with Dakota County Master Gardeners
- Food preservation classes during the harvest season
In exchange gardeners must*:
- Keep garden free of weeds and debris
- Record the weight of your harvest using scales and record book provided at each site
- Participate in community work days
*The Open Door reserves the right to give your plot to someone on the wait list if you do not adhere to his agreement.
Plan on dedicating about 5 hours per week to the program from April–October.
To apply to be a gardener in the Garden To Table program, click one of the links below. For more information contact Alpa Goswami, Garden To Table Manager at alpag@theopendoorpantry.org or 651-600-9244
2018 Garden To Table Application