An idea that was “sprouted” by employees and volunteers at The Bellevue Hospital (TBH) has yielded dividends to several local and area families through the Bellevue Fish and Loaves Food Pantry.
TBH Dietician Patti Keller and several volunteers started the project, known as “Vittlesville,” in April of 2011. The group secured a plot of land east of TBH, then planted, cultivated, and harvested butternut squash this past September.
Butternut squash, an easy-to-grow food that has a high nutrient profile, was selected for its value as a good source of beta carotene, along with b-vitamins, and fiber. It keeps well and can be used raw or cooked in salads and vegetable dishes. It is easier to handle than pumpkins and grows to a more uniform size.
“We yielded 210 total squash weighing in at a combined 720 pounds, with the largest individual squash weighing in at 7.2 pounds,” noted Keller. “All of the squash was then donated to Fish and Loaves where it was distributed to needy families.” Keller and her crew also collected butternut squash recipes. Those recipes were shared with those receiving the squash at Fish and Loaves.
She noted that 24 squash plants were planted in a 12’ x 24’ plot of unused ground owned by TBH. Extra watering was done during the dry months of June and July. The rains came in August and watering was not necessary. The extra watering in June and July yielded squash that were, on average, one pound heavier than normal squash.
Continued Keller, “The market value of the donated squash was just over $300 and our gardening volunteers donated over 60 hours of their time to manage the garden.” In addition to Keller, other gardening helpers were Bob Beck, Cat Valero, Mike Phenicie, Tim Walters, Joe Hoff, Mick Dwyer, Patty Semer, Candy Gilbert, and Tom Kutz. The Huron County Master Gardener Program also assisted with tilling the soil and maintaining the garden.
Keller noted that planning for next year has already begun with eggplant and peppers being considered.