Hershey Community Garden Gears Up for Another Growing Season of Giving

Despite the chill in the air and snow on the ground, the Hershey Community Garden (HCG) will open for its fourth growing season on April 7, 2018. This year marks a big milestone for the garden because the much anticipated Phase II will open. The expansion adds an additional 100 plots, for a total of 225! Also new this season are dedicated flower beds. Community volunteers will cultivate flowers and fresh blooms and distribute to deserving charities and local residents.

MORE ABOUT THE GARDEN

Opened in the spring of 2014, HCG was built on the Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center campus. The garden was founded and built by Hershey Impact, comprised of The Hershey Company, Milton Hershey School, Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, Hershey Entertainment & Resorts Company (HE&R) and The M.S. Hershey Foundation. Immediately, the garden was embraced by the community with the original 125 plots quickly claimed. Since then, there has been an ongoing waiting list of anxious gardeners ready to cultivate, leading to the easy decision to expand.

The purpose of HCG is to offer an opportunity for community residents to grown their own vegetables, fruits, herbs and flowers. A portion of the garden is devoted to philanthropic purposes. The produce cultivated in these sections are donated to people in need throughout the community including Ronald McDonald House Charities, Cocoa Packs and Hershey Food Bank. The addition of Phase II brings the grand total to 14 plots dedicated for charitable giving enabling Hershey Impact to assist many more community members.

To find out more information on HCG, learn tips and how you can become involved visit the website. Follow HCG on Facebook for updates on events and news.