In high cost-of-living areas like Fairfax County, it's easy for low income families to be left behind.According to the 2024 Capitol Area Food Bank Hunger Report, 27% of Fairfax County families are experiencing food insecurity. Community gardens help by offering spaces where people can grow their own fruits and vegetables, allowing them to enjoy connecting with the earth and other gardeners even as they supplement their groceries with delicious fresh produce.
Through a partnership between Hands on Harvests (HOH) and AUMC, we have built a community garden in an unused part of the Mission Center grounds. More than 50 volunteers participated in creating this garden by hauling compost, making beds, and building a garden shed. In addition, the AUMC Boy Scout troop built a beautiful trellis. We were able to plant a fall garden, and we have donated more than 60 pounds of food from that harvest. This spring, we will be working with local community members who want to grow in this space, with interest meetings planned for February, 2026. We are excited about working with members of the Heritage Community to grow fresh healthy food for their families.
Hands on Harvests is an all-volunteer Northern Virginia non-profit organization that establishes and operates community gardens to improve access to fresh produce and reduce food waste. They partner with a variety of organizations from seed sellers to local government agencies, master gardeners and nearby farms.“HOH collaborates with Fairfax County schools on an agricultural technology program that combines computer science and food production, and has established an ever-increasing number of community gardens across the county. Master gardeners and HOH mentors provide bilingual gardening support at all current community garden locations, and spring and fall harvest parties help these truly be a location for community connections.