Student volunteers are giving their time and skills to grow vegetables then donated to the Panther Pantry.
Walk through Adelphi鈥檚 campus鈥攁 registered arboretum鈥攁nd you鈥檒l see many species of trees and decorative blooms. Now there鈥檚 another garden between Linen and Eddy halls. But instead of flowers, this garden grows peppers, lettuce and other vegetables that students are harvesting and donating to the Panther Pantry, so their fellow students and community members can get nutritious, homegrown produce.
The Community Garden came about thanks to Kelly Andreuzzi. Andreuzzi, who uses they/them pronouns, has a bachelor鈥檚 degree in environmental science and a master鈥檚 degree in environmental studies. A former president of the and environmental activist, they spearheaded the garden initiative in 2022, with the support of the Center for Student and Community Engagement (SCE). 鈥淐ommunity is especially important to me鈥擨 have immense passion for empowering my own community and dedicating time to providing services that truly make a difference.鈥�
According to Kelsey D鈥橝ndrea, assistant director of the SCE, the main crops of the garden are various types of lettuces, peppers and tomatoes. 鈥淲e are hoping, over time, to find other plants that will thrive within the garden,鈥� she said.
Growing Together
Senior Erica Gibson, volunteer coordinator of the Panther Pantry, said the food donated is appreciated by the pantry and its patrons. 鈥淲e want to [supply] the people who visit the Pantry with fresh ingredients whenever we can to help them add a bit extra to the amazing variety of items we already provide them,鈥� she said. For example, she cited that the garden鈥檚 tomatoes could be used to make fresh tomato sauce to pair with the pantry鈥檚 various pastas they provide.
The pantry plays an important role in the harvesting of the garden.
鈥淚n the upcoming semesters, we will be moving more intentionally to strengthen our relationship between the members of the Community Garden and the volunteers of the Panther Pantry,鈥� said Gibson.
The garden is a great place to learn and be a part of a community. 鈥淩eflecting back, I feel more appreciative of food and those working to provide our communities with fresh produce,鈥� Andreuzzi said. 鈥淚 am happy to say that I applied the theories and practices that I have learned inside the classroom into the Community Garden on campus.鈥�
Blossoming in Knowledge
The Community Garden is more than a resource that provides food for others. Volunteers also gain valuable skills and learn more about themselves.
鈥淲orking on the Community Garden helped me gain the knowledge and experience to start my own garden at home to provide my family with a sustainable source of produce,鈥� said Andreuzzi. 鈥淲orking with others and sharing knowledge as a community has taught me to become a better gardener and be able to share what I have learned with others.鈥�
Being able to volunteer in this garden provides students with new perspectives on agriculture and the importance of community.
Andreuzzi said, 鈥淎griculture is hard, calculated work鈥攊t鈥檚 extremely time sensitive and requires an immense amount of consistent care.鈥�