On October 18, Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful’s local county affiliate, Keep York Beautiful, hosted 15 volunteers from The GIANT Company who helped prepare Cottage Hill Garden for winter.

Old compost and decaying mulch was dug out and removed and new straw bales were brought in in preparation for planting.

In the spring, easily accessible straw bale gardens will be planted with organic produce and flowers and maintained by community volunteers. Much of what is grown is donated to food banks and neighborhood groups.

Cottage Hill Garden and other community gardens are located at former trash-filled vacant lots throughout York City that are owned by the city of York and managed by The Redevelopment Authority of York. The gardens also serve as outdoor classrooms and provide a place for friends, neighbors and families to gather.  

Multiple urban gardens, including Cottage Hill Garden, are a part of York Fresh Food Farms, a nonprofit organization whose mission is to cultivate community health through access, affordability, and agriculture.

The organization serves to increase access to safe, healthy food choices and build a healthier community through the operation of sustainable, organic, community-based gardens and a demonstration farm.

The Cottage Hill Garden project is a continuation of projects initiated by The GIANT Company’s Reduced Emissions Program, developed in partnership with PDI Sustainability Solutions.

Through the Reduced Emissions Program, for every gallon of fuel purchased at a GIANT or MARTIN’S fuel station, PDI invests in carbon reduction projects across the globe, offsetting up to 30% of the customer’s vehicle emissions. 

“It was a great pleasure and honor to coordinate this event with Cottage Hill Garden and The GIANT Company. Two entities essential to the environmental health and welfare of York County through education and action,” Lee Graybill, Executive Director, Keep York Beautiful. “It turned out to be a great day and 15 volunteers did an amazing amount of work. The weather was perfect.”

“Thanks to The GIANT Company, Keep York Beautiful and Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful for recognizing York Fresh Food Farms Community Gardens and Cottage Hill Garden, with providing access to improved nutritional organic produce, a healthy curiosity of natural spaces, regular exercise, mental well-being and educational development,” said Annalisa Gojmerac, Manager, York Fresh Food Farms Community Gardens.  “This urban garden functions as an interactive neighborhood space for both solitary and group participants, especially valued in these times of Covid isolation. We need each other to get seasonal projects accomplished that improve our communities, and all help received was greatly appreciated. We welcome, encourage and support partnerships that help us achieve vital conditions necessary for environmentally improved spaces for all participants.”

“The actions we take today to heal and preserve our planet are critical to reaching a healthier and more sustainable tomorrow,” said Jessica Groves, community impact manager, The GIANT Company. “The GIANT Company and our team members are proud to support Cottage Hill Garden through volunteerism and our Healing the Planet initiative. In partnership with Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful, we are connecting families to a better future by supporting organizations and initiatives that increase food access and sustainability in the communities we serve.”

Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful, and local county-based affiliates, has more than 30 years of experience in organizing volunteer-driven community improvement events.

“Local improvement projects demonstrate true community spirit and we are honored to partner with The GIANT Company and our local affiliate, Keep York Beautiful, on the recent efforts at Cottage Hill Garden through GIANT’S Reduced Emissions Program,” explains Shannon Reiter, President of Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful.

Visit The GIANT Company’s Sustainability webpage to learn more about the company’s sustainability programs.

For more information on programs, initiatives and special events, visit the Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful website. Click Here to become a member.  Click Here to sign up for regular updates from KPB, Like them on Facebook, Follow on Twitter, Discover them on Pinterest and visit their YouTube Channel.

Keep PA Beautiful helps mobilize over 100,000 volunteers a year to pick up litter, clean up illegal dumping and beautify Pennsylvania.

Related Articles:

-- Keep PA Beautiful Welcomes Newest Affiliate-- Keep Chester County Beautiful  [PaEN]

-- Centre County Recycling & Refuse Authority Accepting Campaign Signs For Recycling [PaEN]

[Posted: November 9, 2022]

11/14/2022