For some residents of Fairfield and surrounding towns, simply having enough food on the table can be a challenge. We are fortunate to have wonderful social services available here in Fairfield, and through these services, the abundance of our local farms and gardens is shared.
Fairfielders are big on sharing- many of Fairfield’s community gardens, several local farms, numerous home-gardeners and CSA programs around town donate their excess produce and eggs to Operation Hope‘s food pantry as well as other food banks and community kitchens.
Fairfield Garden for Food Banks
When the coronavirus pandemic hit in 2020, many of us found we had extra time on our hands while trying to keep safe at home. Many people also began to suffer food insecurity due to lack of work or other challenges. Fairfield resident and RTM member Sharon Pistilli was inspired to activate her green thumb and use her time to create a community food bank garden! Another Fairfield resident kindly offered garden space, Sharon organized donations of gardening supplies and seedlings, and the Fairfield Garden for Food Banks was born! The harvests from this community garden have been shared with the food pantry at Operation Hope in Fairfield, nOURish Bridgeport and Fridgeport.
St. Timothy’s Garden on the Hill
The vegetable garden at St. Timothy’s Church on the Hill is grown organically and by a network of volunteers. Children in the preschool at the church as well as parishioners and other community members can enjoy a quiet respite and tend to the vegetables, which are donated to Operation Hope or the CT Food Bank.
St. Thomas Giving Garden
St. Thomas Aquinas School Giving Garden is located at 1719 Post Road. Designed and constructed by Homefront Farmers using funds raised by the school’s spring auction event, this garden opened in 2017. The garden provides students with wonderful opportunities for service learning, with an array of programs that have benefited Bridgeport Rescue Mission, Operation Hope, and local veterans.
Operation Hope Garden
Operation Hope maintains a lovely little garden on the grounds of the First Church of Fairfield, next door to Operation Hope’s office at 636 Old Post Road. The garden is located at 148 Beach Road. Volunteers tend the garden and the produce is donated to the food pantry on site.
Grow a Row for Hope
If you are interested in sharing the bounty of your vegetable garden, consider “Growing a Row for Hope” by planting a dedicated row or donating any portion of your harvest to the food pantry at Operation Hope or any other local food bank.
If you are interested in starting a community garden of your own, feel free to email us for tips!