More than 5,000 pounds of cucumbers, 2,300 pounds of summer squash and 1,100 pounds of tomatoes were donated to Ames-area food pantries this summer thanks to the Reiman Gardens Grow & Give program.
Grow and Give has about 40 local growers and organizations who have donated more than 13,000 pounds of produce to local food pantries so far in 2025. The program is on track to process and deliver at least 24,000 pounds of produce by the end of the season.
The fruits and vegetables are sorted and distrubted are delivered to 14 different community and ISU food pantries in Story and Boone counties across a four month span.
In addition, large or slightly out of condition produce is donated to Blank Park Zoo, Reiman Gardens’ entomology department and a local tortoise facility. The rest is composted.
“It’s amazing what local growers and groups are growing each and every week,” said unofficial lead volunteer David Miller, who works on the program along with his wife Laura Miller and other volunteers. “We have people who share their excess produce and we have people and groups that grow specifically for the Grow & Give program.”
Students are a few of the volunteers for Grow & Give
Reiman Gardens staff collaborates with the ISU Horticultural Farm, a group of Ames High School students, some local missionaries and many volunteers.
An Ames High School group called Students Helping Eliminate Poverty and Hunger tended to their Grow & Give Garden for more than 30 hours in 2025, learning valuable skills while making helping local food pantries.
“Their commitment proves that even busy students can make a big difference when they dig in together,” said Andrew Gogerty, Reiman Gardens’ marketing and communications manager.
A group of LDS Missionaries has also made a big impact. They cared for their own Grow & Give space and also stepped in to help in other areas across the Gardens whenever needed, a “testament to their generosity and teamwork.”
‘Anyone can participate’ in Reiman Gardens’ fruit and veggies program
The regular Grow & Give volunteers are “the steady hands who keep this program running week in and week out.”
“Between gleaning produce at the farmers’ market and ISU Horticulture Farm, weighing and sorting donations, and delivering fresh food to pantries on Mondays, they’ve contributed over 200 hours this summer alone,” Gogerty said.
For more about how to volunteer with Grow & Give at Reiman Gardens, visit reimangardens.com/volunteers.
“Anyone can participate. Anyone can contribute. And when we do this together, we make people smile — literally,” Miller said.
Ronna Faaborg covers business and the arts for the Ames Tribune. Reach her at rfaaborg@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Ames Tribune: Reiman Gardens Grow & Give Program donates 12 tons of produce to area families, pantries
Reporting by Ronna Faaborg, Ames Tribune / Ames Tribune
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