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.

Photo courtesy of Gorham Food Pantry
The Food Pantry’s Executive Director, Deb Tanguay, began passing out tomato seedlings recently, courtesy of the combined efforts of local farmers/businesses as well as the Gorham Garden Club and the Seiferth family, who donated sunflower seedlings.

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.

The Pantry will be open extended hours to receive donations of produce from local gardeners: Wednesdays from 5-6:00 p.m. and Thursdays from 7:30-9:30 a.m. beginning June 20 through Sept. 26.

For more information about summer produce donations, please call 222-4351 or e-mail director@gorhamfoodpantry.org. For more details on the new Five for Food fundraising campaign, please visit gorhamfoodpantry.org.