Fresh for Neighbors: Grow & Give
Grow what you can. Share what you have.
Fresh for Neighbors invites people of all ages to grow fresh produce at home, in parish gardens, or in community spaces – and share it with neighbors experiencing food insecurity through trusted local food pantries already serving those in need.
Fresh fruits and vegetables are among the most requested yet least available items at many food pantries. Even a handful of tomatoes, extra herbs, or a basket of produce can make a meaningful difference.
Join a growing movement of households, parishes, schools, and ministries sharing fresh food with neighbors – and unlock resources, guidance, and encouragement along the way.
Questions? in**@************en.org
How It Works
Participation is intentionally simple.
You can:
• grow vegetables, fruit, or herbs at home, in containers, or in a community or parish garden
• donate extra harvest directly to a nearby pantry
• participate in a parish or community collection effort
• encourage others in your community to grow and share
Local food ministries and partner pantries help distribute the food to neighbors.
Many communities begin small – and grow naturally over time.
About Fresh for Neighbors
Fresh for Neighbors is a simple invitation: grow what you can and share what you have.
Across Catholic communities, small acts of care – a handful of tomatoes, extra vegetables, or a basket of fresh produce – can become meaningful support for neighbors experiencing food insecurity. Fresh fruits and vegetables are among the most requested yet least available items at many food pantries.
Whether through a backyard garden, containers on a balcony, a parish garden, or a community garden plot, individuals and families can participate in ways that fit their capacity.
Inspired by the Works of Mercy, the initiative offers a practical way to care for neighbors by sharing the fruits of our gardens.
Ways to Participate
🌱 Individuals & Households
Grow at home and share what you can. Whether you have a backyard garden, balcony containers, or a few tomato plants, every contribution matters.
⛪ Parishes
Invite parishioners to donate extra produce or create a simple collection opportunity connected to existing outreach efforts.
🤝 Ministries, Schools & Organizations
Schools, religious communities, food pantries, and Catholic organizations can integrate Fresh for Neighbors into existing service efforts.
Each community participates according to its own capacity.
Why It Matters
Fresh for Neighbors is rooted in everyday expressions of Catholic life:
• care for neighbors experiencing need
• stewardship of creation
• shared responsibility within community
• participation across generations
Inspired by the Works of Mercy, the initiative offers a practical way to care for neighbors through the fruits of our gardens.
Working Together
Fresh for Neighbors is stewarded by Catholic Garden Network in collaboration with dioceses, Catholic Charities ministries, and local food organizations.
Catholic Garden Network provides shared resources, guidance, and support, while local partners help connect donations to trusted distribution networks.
The goal is simple coordination that helps fresh food reach neighbors who need it most.
Sharing the Impact Together
Fresh for Neighbors grows through many small acts shared across communities.
Participants are invited to share occasional updates throughout the season about what they’re growing and donating. When possible, simple estimates – such as pounds, baskets, or quantities of produce – help Catholic Garden Network understand the collective impact taking shape across participating communities.
Together, these shared updates help us:
• celebrate how much fresh food is reaching neighbors
• encourage one another through shared progress
• tell stories of generosity and local impact
• strengthen support for food ministries serving families
Every shared update helps tell the story of what we are growing together.
Join Fresh for Neighbors
Sign up to unlock practical resources, seasonal guidance, and encouragement to help you grow and share with confidence.
Questions? Email: in**@************en.org
We welcome conversation and discernment together.