An unlikely partnership has the potential to change lives by simply sharing food. Interfaith Food Ministry (IFM) has been a foundational part of serving food insecure people in Nevada County for over 30 years. Our motto “feeding families, fueling hope” has at its core ensuring human dignity and recognizing the value of each life.
Land Together (LT, originally known as the Insight Garden Program) began 20 years ago inside the walls of San Quentin State Prison. LT is founded on the belief that planting seeds of change from the ground up can reconnect people to self, community, and the natural world, and have a significant impact on those living an incarcerated life. LT’s curriculum combines environmental education, permaculture gardening, “inner gardening” and reentry skills. The visions of both IFM and LT remind us we are all connected, each and every one of us, to each other and the planet.
A warm day last summer unexpectedly brought these two organizations together. In its first season, the new LT garden at Mule Creek State Prison in Ione, CA overflowed with abundance. The incarcerated gardeners experienced the unknown phenomenon of having fresh food in their midst and grappled with conflicting feelings of joy, profusion, and uncertainty. The plants they tended and nurtured were ready to harvest – a cucumber, squash, or pepper growing on the vine was something most had not seen in many years. The brightness of a perfectly ripe juicy strawberry and the fragrance of fresh mint, basil and lemon verbena awakened their senses, long dormant to the connection to nature.
Initially the gardeners were allowed to take one fruit or vegetable back to their living places to eat or share with others. The extra went to the prison kitchen for the chefs to blend into meals. For a variety of organizational and administrative reasons, the season came abruptly to a halt that summer day, with a substantial harvest of healthy food sitting in the middle of the garden, its fate in question.
A sense of powerlessness and frustration came over the group of incarcerated gardeners. A LT volunteer who lives in Nevada County and is also familiar with IFM suggested sharing this bounty with people who would welcome the fresh-picked healthy organic food. The gardeners immediately jumped at this opportunity, knowing that the food they grew and tended would help nourish others. A spirit of generosity uprooted the earlier emotions at the realization they could reach beyond the prison walls and do something to help others.
Incarcerated people live with a pervasive sense of scarcity. In the garden this was replaced by plentifulness and gratitude, along with an uneasy uncertainty, as they wondered how long the goodness could last.
Many people on the outside share this same sense of scarcity, a lack of agency and control over their lives that stems from not knowing whether they will be hungry or have enough food to fuel their bodies and spirits. Many may feel the sting of stigma that society attaches to their circumstances.
Food is our common language, it connects us to the land, to the community, to culture, to ourselves. And so a unique partnership is growing. Not only is the Mule Creek prison garden sharing its bounty, they are planning for next season with the needs of IFM’s family in mind. Growing for the people.
The hands on the inside can now reach out into a community, perhaps one similar to where they once caused harm, with a tangible way of making amends. And the hands that receive the bountifulness can know it was nurtured by those working to grow and restore themselves, creating an expanded community where we see each other.
Being “wise-selfish” the Dali Lama calls it, the reminder – when we give, we receive. We belong to each other, this interdependence is a fundamental aspect of our humanness. Bringing joy to others brings joy to ourselves and lights up the reward centers in our brains, and our hearts. A serendipitous pairing of two organizations, Interfaith Food Ministry and the Land Together, who have much more in common than one might think.
IFM is looking for volunteers to help care for our local garden spaces. This is a wonderful opportunity to give back to the community while learning how to grow your own food. Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or have never planted a seed, you’re welcome to join us. No experience is necessary. Just bring a willing heart and a little time, and we’ll guide you every step of the way.
Our garden program supports several sites across the area, including locations in Nevada City, near R&R Highway, and the Brunswick Y. Volunteers help with a variety of hands-on activities such as planting, watering, and harvesting fresh fruits and vegetables, all of which go directly to families in need.
Along the way, you’ll learn about natural, no-till gardening methods and simple, affordable techniques that keep our gardens healthy and productive. It’s a great way to connect with others, learn valuable skills, and make a meaningful impact in our community. Contact IFM’s Program Manager, Venus Paxton at venuspm.ifm@gmail.com to learn more about this unique volunteering opportunity.