Take The Soul Patch Statewide

by Erik Warner | Mar 18, 2022
1 read | 3 Comments
Competition Finalist

This entry has been selected as a finalist in the
Challenge I: Ideas for Addressing Obesity in Minnesota competition.

Summary:

The Soul Patch is a community-tended garden that benefits the Morrison County Food Shelf. Civic organizations, youth groups, businesses, and community volunteers came together to produce over 2,000 lbs. of garden-fresh produce that was donated to the clients of the Food Shelf. A church adjacent to the Food Shelf donated the use of the land, and with donations of seeds, plants, and cash to cover watering and tilling, this was a low-cost way to bring a high-cost product to people who can't typically afford it. Total operating cost for the garden last year was approximately $200. This is an idea that can be easily replicated in any community.

First Name

Erik

Last Name

Warner

About You

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First Name

Erik

Last Name

Warner

Country

United States, MN, Morrison County

City

Little Falls

Country

United States, MN, Morrison County

City

Little Falls

About You

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About Your Organization

Organization Name

The Soul Patch Community Garden

Organization Website

http://mcsoulpatch.wordpress.com

Organization Phone

Organization Address

912 SW 1st Avenue, Little Falls, MN 56345

Your idea

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Name your idea

Take The Soul Patch Statewide

Describe your idea

The Soul Patch is a community-tended garden that benefits the Morrison County Food Shelf. Civic organizations, youth groups, businesses, and community volunteers came together to produce over 2,000 lbs. of garden-fresh produce that was donated to the clients of the Food Shelf. A church adjacent to the Food Shelf donated the use of the land, and with donations of seeds, plants, and cash to cover watering and tilling, this was a low-cost way to bring a high-cost product to people who can't typically afford it. Total operating cost for the garden last year was approximately $200. This is an idea that can be easily replicated in any community.

How do you define your "community"?

The Morrison County Food Shelf and its clients; volunteers and contributors to The Soul Patch. As it relates to this project, anyone who eats is a member of my community.

Tell us how you think the issue of obesity is affecting your community

Particular to Little Falls, the collapse of the boat industry had a profound effect on people's ability to buy food. In our community of 8,000 people, over 1,000 people lost their jobs when the boat factories shut down. Once people lose their jobs, they no longer have the income available to buy healthy, high-nutrient foods. They purchase what is cheap, which is high-calorie, often low-nutrient food that is filling, but not necessarily nourishing. Psychologically, fattening foods are comforting foods. This sets up a cycle of people in need who don't learn the skills to produce their own healthy food. Giving them the opportunity to learn those skills and a space to use them will help to break the cycle and will hopefully act as an ameliorative to obesity. At the very least, The Soul Patch provides something healthy for low-income people to eat.

Why should your idea be selected?

Because, for the $15,000 being given away, five community gardens following The Soul Patch model could be established. While it only cost about $200 to establish The Soul Patch, I provided my own tools to the effort. If garden tools, supplies and a shed need to be purchased, this could easily be done with $3,000 per garden.

zhului roter said: The big advantage of having a lawyer help you prepare a 642-437 will is peace of mind. Wills are fairly complex legal documents that ... about this Competition Entry. - 911 days ago read more >
Martina Yusay said: This is a good idea! The community is one of the social unit that share values. - Texas Lending about this Competition Entry. - 958 days ago read more >
Cluffy Lee said: This is the best online slots best thing about the community services in US. Organizations and businesses really unite to help others. I ... about this Competition Entry. - 966 days ago read more >
Take The Soul Patch Statewide has been chosen as a finalist in Challenge I: Ideas for Addressing Obesity in Minnesota. - 2171 days ago

Erik Warner updated this Competition Entry. - 2217 days ago

Erik Warner submitted this idea. - 2217 days ago