Group starts community produce program in Whitefish

During the growing season, community members can donate extra bounty from their gardens to Land to Hand’s new community produce fridge in Whitefish. Anyone can stop by the fridge and enjoy the donated local produce at no cost.  

The organization stocks the fridge with extra produce from programs and whatever else the community donates. While there's no guarantee the fridge will be full, people are encouraged to stop by and browse. 

The Whitefish community produce fridge is located at 311 E 1st St. in Whitefish in front of the Land to Hand and Backpack Assistance program’s office doors. Walk south down the alley between the Whitefish Review building and Malmquist Construction to find it next to Land to Hand’s new mural. The fridge is open seven days a week for donations of extra garden produce.  

In addition to produce, donations through the Great Fish Community Challenge are making the most of the growing and giving season for Land to Hand.  

“When we first participated in Great Fish 10 years ago, we were an all-volunteer organization,” said Gretchen Boyer, executive director of Land to Hand. “The ripple effect beyond the Challenge is tremendous.”  

Boyer said that the Great Fish supports Land to Hand programs across the valley such as the Columbia Falls Backpack Program, which provides food to nearly 400 children in Columbia Falls. Other efforts include but are not limited to deliveries through a food prescription program, free the seed donations, and SNAP recipients doubling their money for fresh produce at the farmer’s market.  

Boyer said that this year, they hope to expand farm to school education. 

“Garden and nutrition education with school-aged kids helps them to understand the value of seeds and growing local food, which ties into food access. When a kid plants a seed, nourishes it and harvests it, they’re going to eat it,” Boyer said.

    Donors bring their summer bounty to the Columbia Falls' produce fridge. (Photo provided by Andrea Getts)
  

    Land to Hand's 'Hands in the Dirt' summer camp. (Photo provided by Andrea Getts)