The Giving Garden

The Giving Garden The Giving Garden grows vegetables and eggs for families and individuals in our community that struggle with food security.

All food is donated to local food banks and meal sites. The Giving Garden is 100% volunteer run (zero administrative overhead) In the fall of 2011, members of the Pittsfield Church of Christ had a vision to help others by planting a garden. The very next spring, the Giving Garden became a reality. We came to understand that many people in our community, both individuals and families, could not aff

ord to put fresh produce on their tables. Nutrient dense produce is an expensive commodity for those in need. The Giving Garden does not sell the produce it grows. One hundred percent of that which is grown is given away to help others. In the second year of existence, the garden doubled in size. Although it was a bad growing year, 3000 pounds of produce was again distributed throughout the county. In 2014, the Giving Garden has grown again and now tripled in size to around 2.5 acres. We now have a tractor, a rotor tiller, a cultivator and a seed planter. We can state very clearly that we want to make a significant difference in the health and wellness of individuals in our community by providing for them the opportunity to eat more healthfully. In just two years, 8000 pounds of produce has been placed on the tables of those who would otherwise have gone without. When grocery money is limited, more often than not, carbohydrates in the form of bread, pasta, and processed foods are the default choice for many.

Eventhough winter is miserably upon us, we have ordered seeds, and onion plants, contracted with a farm in Whately to gr...
01/29/2026

Eventhough winter is miserably upon us, we have ordered seeds, and onion plants, contracted with a farm in Whately to grow 400 or so plants for us, and studied the daily trove of seed catalogs.

Over the last 13 years the Giving Garden has donated nearly $150,000 in produce to food banks and meals sites. This year...
11/03/2025

Over the last 13 years the Giving Garden has donated nearly $150,000 in produce to food banks and meals sites. This year the chickens are producing $12,000 in eggs.

This all goes directly to the people in our community that need it the most. No overhead, no administrative costs.

If you need help, let us know.

If you can help: https://www.venmo.com/u/GivingGarden01201 or reach out!

A bag of chicken feed from https://www.wirtesgrain.com costs $15.25, and your donation dollars stay local!

R & R Wirtes Grain has served Berkshire County for generations with fresh milled feeds and practical know-how. We're farmers too, and we care about what you are feeding.

45 1/2 dozen eggs off to shelters, meal sites and food banks this week! The new chickens are working hard! That's protei...
09/02/2025

45 1/2 dozen eggs off to shelters, meal sites and food banks this week! The new chickens are working hard! That's protein on tables and $273 back in the pockets of our community members who are in need. Thank you to all who donate, to Greylock Federal Credit Union and to R & R Wirtes Grain for the beautiful feed (and less expensive than the big box stores!)

To date this year the Giving Garden has donated 1 Ton of tomatoes (market price $8980) Plus green beans, peppers, squash...
09/01/2025

To date this year the Giving Garden has donated 1 Ton of tomatoes (market price $8980) Plus green beans, peppers, squash and other produce. The chickens have donated 1020 dozen eggs (market price $6120). All to shelters, meal sites and food banks. The hoop houses donated by you, and Greylock Federal Credit Union will nearly double the amount of nutrient dense vegetables we can bring to those in need next year.

Thank you, community.

1000 pounds of tomatoes have been picked and on their way to food programs.
08/13/2025

1000 pounds of tomatoes have been picked and on their way to food programs.

Tomatoes are coming on strong. 100 lbs picked for Berkshire Bounty to distribute.
08/02/2025

Tomatoes are coming on strong. 100 lbs picked for Berkshire Bounty to distribute.

We had our 1st tomato harvest today: 70 lbs of vine ripened tomatoes. We also picked peppers and green beans.
07/29/2025

We had our 1st tomato harvest today: 70 lbs of vine ripened tomatoes. We also picked peppers and green beans.

Our 1st harvest of peppers going to Heart & Soil Collective. Please support them as they distribute food. Due to the USD...
07/15/2025

Our 1st harvest of peppers going to Heart & Soil Collective. Please support them as they distribute food. Due to the USDA cuts they can only serve a fraction of the homes they delivered to last year. Not only will many people not get fresh vegetables but farmers are not selling their veggies to the program. This year more than ever, please support local organizations working on hunger issues and buy your produce from local farmers.

Second Hoophouse frame is up. Thanks again for our Tuesday team of volunteers
07/10/2025

Second Hoophouse frame is up. Thanks again for our Tuesday team of volunteers

Whoo hoo! Volunteers: 'S and the 3 Js', erected the frame of one of our new hoophouses today. Thanks so much! Looking fo...
07/03/2025

Whoo hoo! Volunteers: 'S and the 3 Js', erected the frame of one of our new hoophouses today. Thanks so much! Looking forward to having you help as we continue to get the hoophouses built and ready for fall crops.

Our tomato plants are about 4' tall and each plant is loaded with green tomatoes. The question of the day is: when will ...
07/03/2025

Our tomato plants are about 4' tall and each plant is loaded with green tomatoes. The question of the day is: when will they turn red?

The tomato plants are all in bloom and growing well. We have introduced a beneficial insect to prevent an out break of t...
06/14/2025

The tomato plants are all in bloom and growing well. We have introduced a beneficial insect to prevent an out break of the dreaded whitefly. It is important to monitor the plants to prevent a big outbreak of the nasty critters

Address

826 Valentine Road
Pittsfield, MA
01201

Telephone

(413) 822-7814

Website

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