Community garden coming to Larson

Two sites of interest

MOSES LAKE — A second community garden is coming to Moses Lake in the Larson Subdivision area.

A meeting was held Tuesday night to discuss the possibilities of the project.

There are two potential sites, Grant County Housing Authority Executive Director John Poling said. The authority will help locate a site at the subdivision, he added.

"It was always our dream to come out here," Moses Lake Chamber of Commerce Manager Bev Shuford said.

The two most promising sites are near the Boys & Girls Club Larson extension and the Grant County Sheriff's Office, according to Poling.

He expects construction to begin in the spring.

An additional meeting is expected to discuss other aspects of the project including the size of the plots, who will construct the project, funding and the location of the garden site.

Many parts of the project already began.

Equipment including hoses, wheelbarrows, rakes and a storage shed were purchased, Shuford said.

Amy Ellings with the Department of Health discussed the importance of a garden to a community and the nutrition value of fruits and vegetables.

"Ninety percent of Americans don't eat enough fruits and vegetables," she said. "Don't eat more donuts."

By eating fruits and vegetables, people have stronger bones and teeth, consume less calories and have a better memory, she said.

Her number one tip for people regarding fresh produce is to have it readily available.

The Community Garden Project began as a pilot project in Moses Lake five years ago, Healthy Communities Community Coordinator Sally Goodwin said. The city was one of twelve chosen across the nation to receive a grant from the department.

Two other projects stemmed from the grant. The Trails Planning Team and the Breast-Feeding Coalition was formed, she added. The grant funds projects to change lifestyles to a more healthy direction.

"We need people to step up and get involved," Goodwin said.

She encourages people to get involved with the garden project.