The collaboration between San Juan County WSU Extension Master Gardeners, San Juan County Health & Community Services, and the Friday Harbor Food Bank, completed its inaugural season and served hundreds of community members.
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS |||
A successful new partnership, “The Share Table,” is helping clients of the Friday Harbor Food Bank grow, prepare, and enjoy fresh, garden-grown produce, strengthening local food security and community connections. The initiative, a collaboration between San Juan County WSU Extension Master Gardeners, San Juan County Health & Community Services, and the Friday Harbor Food Bank, completed its inaugural season having directly served hundreds of community members.
The Share Table aims to empower Food Bank clients with the resources and knowledge needed for successful home gardening and healthy cooking.
Key results from the 2025 season include:
- Direct Outreach: 300 individuals utilized the outreach table between April and October.
- Education and Resources: Master Gardeners distributed a bilingual planting calendar and high-quality vegetable starts, including basil, mint, lettuces, kales, tomatoes, and peppers.
- Healthy Cooking: Kristen Rezabek from County Health & Community Services provided healthy, garden-based recipes and food samples, demonstrating simple ways to prepare the fresh produce.
- Regular Engagement: Sessions were held outside the Food Bank twice monthly, attracting 20–30 clients per session and distributing approximately one flat (18) of vegetable starts each time.
“We are incredibly proud of the impact the Share Table has had in its first year,” said Dennis DeMuth, Master Gardener volunteer, “Hearing from clients about their successful harvests confirms that giving people tools and knowledge to grow their own food is a powerful way to support our community’s health and resilience.“
The collaboration fosters community connections through shared knowledge about gardening and cooking, reinforcing the value of local, nutrient-dense food. Partners are already planning for the 2026 season, with goals to expand outreach and ensure even more residents feel welcome and supported.
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