OXNARD, California – A local garden has provided food to the Ventura County community for years, but demand has increased and has not slowed due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Many people at the Senior Nutrition Program Garden say it is an affair of the heart. 19-year-old Tayahna Agtarap has been working as a volunteer for more than a year.
“At the beginning of the pandemic, I was looking for something to do, especially being locked in the house,” Agtarap said. “I decided to come voluntarily and I noticed that there were so many great people here and all the work we had to do is so therapeutic.”
The Ventura County Area Agency on Aging started this garden back in 2007, but food insecurity became a major concern for older adults during the pandemic. The senior nutrition program serves more than 200,000 meals a year, but demand grew to 1.2 million during the COVID-19 crisis.
“It serves older adults and people with disabilities across Ventura County, as well as those who normally do not have access to fresh fruits and vegetables,” said Jannette Jauregui of the Ventura County Area Agency on Aging.
The garden is located next to Food Share in Oxnard. It started as one acre of land but has almost doubled in size.
“Right now we have over 30 types of fruit and vegetables, from potatoes, carrots, lots of corn to more exotic things like dragon fruit,” said Christopher Fiorello, manager at Senior Nutrition Garden.
The garden produces about 1,500 pounds a week. Volunteers tend and harvest the plants.
“Everyone comes here for a reason and that is to grow food and give it away to people who need it,” said Fiorello.
COVID-19 case numbers are improving, but the food program won’t stop.
“It’s amazing to know that everything I do here will end up benefiting other people who need it, and it’s honestly an honor to be a part of it,” said Agtarap.
You can find more information about the garden and volunteering here.
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