The Gorham Food Pantry took part in Happy Healthy Gorham festivities at the Farmers’ Market on May 19. The Food Pantry’s Executive Director Deb Tanguay and Board President Diane O’Neill were pleased to play a role in the day’s events, seeing it as an opportunity to showcase some of the ongoing ways the Pantry is trying to guide its clients toward healthier eating habits.

Some of these efforts include working with Emily Beagle of Chapman’s Farm (140 New Portland Rd.) and Josh Haiss of Landscape Revolution (formerly Silver Brook Landscape), as well as members of the Gorham Garden Club, to give away approximately 40 tomato plant seedlings to those clients interested in growing a bit of their own produce at home.

Thanks to the generosity of Happy Healthy Gorham, the Pantry also held a free drawing, giving one interested client a 4’ x 4’ raised garden bed. Other ongoing efforts include more labeling of fresh summer produce, educating both clients and volunteers as to the type of produce offered, and giving preparation tips.

The Pantry also continues to inform clients of an increase in low-sodium, whole-grain, and gluten-free options, and to foster relations with the gardeners/farmers from Smiling Hill Farm, Ossipee Trail Garden, Idexx, Chapman’s Farm, and the GMS garden, who donate regularly throughout the growing season.