Capitol Hunger Garden Continues to Provide Fresh Produce for Harrisburg Residents in Need

HARRISBURG - As the Capitol Hunger Garden closes out its 14^th season, Sen. Elder Vogel (R-47) and Rep. Emily Kinkead (D-20) were joined by other state and local leaders as they reflected on the continued impact the garden has on the Harrisburg community and the importance of having access to fresh, healthy food options.

"The fight to combat hunger has not been the easiest of roads to navigate here in Pennsylvania with the complexities surrounding state and federal funding, however one of the ways the Hunger Caucus has continued to make a difference in this fight is through our established Capitol Hunger Garden," said Vogel. "With our collaboration with the Downtown Daily Bread, over the years this garden has provided thousands of pounds of produce - all of which was given back to the Harrisburg community in the form of hearty meals for those in need."

During the 2024 season, Penn State Master Gardeners and capitol volunteers harvested 727.5 pounds of vegetables and herbs.

Vogel added, "As someone who has been involved in the agriculture industry for most of my life, I know firsthand the incredible impact of having access to fresh food has on communities. I look forward to finding additional, fiscally responsible avenues where this can become more of a reality for Pennsylvanians in the future."

"It is amazing to help lead this initiative providing hundreds of pounds of fresh produce for food insecure people living in our capital city," Kinkead said. "In addition to directly combating hunger, the Capitol Hunger Garden is a space representing the fact that food access remains an issue for over 1.5 million Pennsylvanians. As lawmakers, staff, and community members walk by the garden, it serves as a powerful reminder that there is much more work to be done to adequately address food insecurity for communities across the Commonwealth."

Vogel and Kinkead serve as the co-chairs of the Legislative Hunger Caucus. Established in 2008, the caucus seeks to raise awareness of hunger in the commonwealth. It has helped run the Capitol Hunger Garden and has done so since 2010.

Since then, the garden has fulfilled its goal of raising and providing quality produce to those in need by donating what is harvested to the Downtown Daily Bread, where they create healthy meal options to Harrisburg residents in need.

Other attendees included Sen. Judy Schwank (D-11), minority chair, Senate Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee; Rep. Eddie Day Pashinski, majority chair of the House Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee; Sen. Tim Kearney; Rep. Johanny Cepeda-Freytiz; Rep. Tarik Khan; Corrie Lingenfelter, executive director, and Chef Mieshia Jackson, executive chef, Downtown Daily Bread; and Joe Arthur, CEO, Central Pennsylvania Food Bank.

Additionally, Penn State Master Gardeners Ember Jandabar, Audree Khalishah, and Carol Webb were in attendance.

"A huge thank you to our amazing volunteers at the Hunger Garden!" said Mieshia Jackson, executive chef for the Downtown Daily Bread. "Your dedication and hard work in bringing fresh, homegrown vegetables to our community makes such a difference. As someone who, just two summers ago, when taking on this new venture faced one huge challenge of "not knowing how to cook processed food," this fresh produce has been a breath of fresh air. Your efforts nourish not only our bodies but our spirits as well. We couldn't do this without you-thank you for helping us bring real, wholesome food to the table!"

Central Pennsylvania Food Bank CEO, Joe Arthur, added "The Central Pennsylvania Food Bank continues to see increased need year over year- 1 in 8 Pennsylvanians- and 1 in 6 children- face food insecurity. The Hunger Garden serves as a reminder that hunger exists in all communities across the commonwealth, while making a tangible difference in Harrisburg. Fresh produce is vital to improving the health of our neighbors, and we look forward to working with the General Assembly to ensure that all Pennsylvanian's have access to nutritious foods."

The Capitol Hunger Garden officially closed for the season on Oct. 10 and will open again in Spring 2025.

VIDEO: Capitol Hunger Garden Seasonal Closing

CONTACT: Abby Chiumento, 717-787-3076 (Sen. Vogel)
Aaron Troutman, 717-480-9166 (Rep. Emily Kinkead)
Amanda Gilbertson, 717-547-6267 | Megan Dapp, 717.599.1698 (Central PA Food Bank)
Corrie Lingenfelter, (Downtown Daily Bread)