Beaver County News

As the Capitol Hunger Garden concluded its 14th season, state leaders gathered to highlight its impact on Harrisburg residents. Senator Elder Vogel and Representative Emily Kinkead emphasized the importance of access to fresh food. Vogel stated, "The fight to combat hunger has not been the easiest of roads to navigate here in Pennsylvania with the complexities surrounding state and federal funding, however one of the ways the Hunger Caucus has continued to make a difference in this fight is through our established Capitol Hunger Garden."

In collaboration with Downtown Daily Bread, the garden has provided thousands of pounds of produce for those in need. This year alone, volunteers harvested 727.5 pounds of vegetables and herbs.

Vogel expressed his commitment to finding more ways to provide fresh food access: "As someone who has been involved in the agriculture industry for most of my life, I know firsthand the incredible impact of having access to fresh food has on communities."

Kinkead also highlighted the ongoing issue of food insecurity affecting over 1.5 million Pennsylvanians: “It is amazing to help lead this initiative providing hundreds of pounds of fresh produce for food insecure people living in our capital city.”

Since its establishment by the Legislative Hunger Caucus in 2010, co-chaired by Vogel and Kinkead, the garden's produce has been donated to Downtown Daily Bread for healthy meals.

Among other attendees were Sen. Judy Schwank, Rep. Eddie Day Pashinski, Sen. Tim Kearney, Rep. Johanny Cepeda-Freytiz, Rep. Tarik Khan, Corrie Lingenfelter from Downtown Daily Bread; Chef Mieshia Jackson; Joe Arthur from Central Pennsylvania Food Bank; and Penn State Master Gardeners Ember Jandabar, Audree Khalishah, and Carol Webb.

Chef Mieshia Jackson expressed gratitude towards volunteers: “Your dedication and hard work in bringing fresh homegrown vegetables to our community makes such a difference.”

Joe Arthur noted that "the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank continues to see increased need year over year," emphasizing that fresh produce is essential for health improvement across communities.

The Capitol Hunger Garden will reopen in Spring 2025 after closing on October 10.