Placer Resource Conservation District includes vegetable seedlings in donation boxes

In response to food insecurity caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Placer Resource Conservation District hosted the Planting Hope Produce and Seedling Giveaway – curbside pick-up, of course. The district handed out dozens of donation boxes overflowing with produce and winter vegetable seedlings. Overall, nearly 300 pounds of produce and more than 150 seedlings were donated. The event took place Oct. 3 in the parking lot of the Creekside Business Center, according to a Placer RCD news release. Placer RCD staff engaged in short conversations with community members as they drove through, windows halfway down and both parties wearing face coverings. One participant noted they recently lost their job due to the pandemic and this event provided a small reprieve from the newfound stress of putting food on the table. Placer County businesses, including The Flower Farm, Belly Rub Farms, Salle Orchards and Laughing Duck Farms, provided a medley of fall vegetables, including butternut squash, eggplant, beets and more. Eisley Nursery in Auburn donated a variety of seedlings, including lettuce, chard, spinach and onion. The donation kits boasted a booklet with step-by-step instructions on successful seedling planting, advice on cooking prep for butternut squash and beets, and several delicious fall recipes. Small starter pots filled with soil served as a starting point for transplanting seedlings. Produce that was not donated during the event was brought to the Auburn Interfaith Food Closet, and Foresthill High School accepted additional seedlings for their community garden. Funding for the event was provided by the California Association of Resource Conservation Districts through the COVID-19 Recovery Community Service Grant. Check out the Placer RCD website (placerrcd.org) to learn more about conservation projects happening throughout the region.