The Montgomery County Wellness Coalition Launches Free Veggie Libraries In Crawfordsville This Summer!

By: Monica Negale

The Montgomery County Wellness Coalition is excited to announce the launch of free veggie libraries in Crawfordsville this summer, aimed at increasing access to fresh produce for residents throughout the town. With the goal of promoting a healthier community, individuals are encouraged to take what they need and share some to feed others in need. The veggie libraries can be found at 2 convenient locations including the Free Clinic and the Montgomery County Fairgrounds.

Due to the dry summer season, many gardens have experienced a delayed start. However, the gardens are producing an abundance of produce now. So we encourage you to go check out the libraries and see what you can find.

Furthermore, the Montgomery County Wellness Coalition is seeking donations of fresh fruits and vegetables to stock the veggie libraries. This presents an excellent opportunity for gardeners to share the fruits (or veggies) of their labor and contribute to the betterment of our community. Additionally, it offers a convenient way to make use of any surplus zucchini or tomatoes. Feel free to select one or multiple locations of your choice and drop off produce at your convenience.

Whether you are seeking fresh, local, and free fruits and vegetables for yourself, your family, or your friends, the veggie libraries are open to everyone in the community. We encourage you to come and choose what you’d like. Together, we can ensure that nutritious food is accessible to all.

In order to maintain the quality and freshness of the produce, we kindly request that if you come across any expired items, please dispose of them or inform us. For any inquiries or to report expired produce, please contact the Montgomery County Extension Office at (765) 364-6363.

If you would like to learn more or stay updated on this initiative, we invite you to get in touch with the Montgomery County Extension Office, the Health Department, or Purdue Extension.

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About the Montgomery County Wellness Coalition:

The Montgomery County Wellness Coalition is dedicated to promoting collaboration and providing centralized access to community resources. Through shared value strategies addressing health equity, the coalition strives to create healthy connected communities that improve individuals’ quality of life through prevention, education, awareness, and partnership. To learn more or get involved, please contact the Health Department or Purdue Extension.

Join us in making a positive impact on our community’s well-being. Together, we can foster a healthier and more vibrant Crawfordsville!

– Monica Nagele is the County Extension Director and educator of health and human science for the Montgomery County Purdue Extension.