Giving Garden a festival with a purpose

If you are finding yourself with an abundance of cucumbers, zucchini and parsnips this growing season, there is an option other than daily stews and salads.

"Most people don't even think of it, but by donating what you aren't going to eat, you can feed an entire family," said Mary Ellen Diaz of Chicago's First Slice Cafe.

Diaz was one of a handful of chefs and gardeners Sunday at the Chicago Botanic Garden in Glencoe during the annual Giving Garden celebration.

The Giving Garden, which is organized by the Daily Herald, aims to deliver fresh, nutritious produce to area food pantries while teaching area gardeners how to be more productive growers.

"People who have been living on food pantries for many years have been eating food that is over-starched and over-sugared," Diaz said. "These are the same people who don't have access to health care. The simple act of giving produce makes a huge difference."

Since July 1, the Giving Garden, has collected 60,016 pounds of food.

Produce will be collected at numerous drop-off sites in Cook, DuPage, Lake, Kane and McHenry counties through Oct. 1. The goal is 65,000 pounds.

When the Giving Garden started in 1999, the goal was 10,000 pounds and 17,000 was collected, said Catherine Edman, organizer of the event and Daily Herald staff writer.

Edman estimates 1.2 million servings of food have been collected since the Giving Garden's inception.

Mary Plunkett, manager of interpretive programs at the botanic garden, said the event is also a great way to raise awareness for the Northern Illinois Food Bank and Greater Chicago Food Depository.

"We are able to capture the audience of people who are already coming out to our gardens," Plunkett said. "Once people get comfortable with gardening again, and really get growing, they can give back to local pantries. It is a fun festival, but there is a point to it."