WAUKEE – Hy-Vee Inc. presented a check for $15,000 Sept. 6 to The Fruitful Vine Garden as part of its Hy-Vee One Step program.
The One Step Garden Grants are used to purchase seeds, plants, garden tools and food preservation equipment for community gardens.
“One Step Garden Grants are given to community gardens that provide fresh, healthy food for their communities, and teach those in need about health and nutrition through the process of planting, tending and harvesting their own fruits and vegetables,” said Joe Milnes, Waukee Hy-Vee store director. “We’re so pleased to have presented this grant to The Fruitful Vine Garden to help with the great work they do.”
Hy-Vee’s One Step program uses a portion of the proceeds from the sale of earth-friendly, everyday products to benefit local and worldwide charitable causes. From every sale of a five-pound bag of One Step Russet Potatoes, 5 cents goes to funding community gardens. Community groups and organizations applied online for the grants, and their applications were judged on a number of areas, including demonstrated participation of community stakeholders and intended use of the garden’s produce.
In all, Hy-Vee is awarding $125,000 in grants to 10 community gardens this year. Since 2013, the One Step Garden Grant program has helped grow 750 gardens in Hy-Vee’s eight state region.