The Grow a Row pilot in Dublin is a Cré initiative funded under Local Agenda 21 by Dublin City Council and the Department of Environment, Community and Local Government. Compost is being kindly supplied by Enrich.ie
With the help of community gardens in Dublin the projects aims are to promote and educate the public on the process and benefits of compost *while addressing the need of, and acknowledging the assistance provided by local food banks.
The website will act as a guide to other growing groups and individuals to make and use compost, grow extra vegetables and donate them to a local food bank.
The Origins
The pilot is based on the successful programme the Compost Council of Canada operates.
The Grow-A-Row program started in Winnipeg, Manitoba in 1986, initiated by Ron and Eunice O’Donovan. That was the year that they produced more potatoes in their backyard garden than their family could consume. They decided to donate the excess to the local food bank, Winnipeg Harvest. Their idea was met with such enthusiasm that the O’Donovan’s decided to encourage their friends and neighbours to also donate their surplus produce. Since then, over 1.4 million pounds of fresh fruits and vegetables have been given to Winnipeg Harvest through the Grow-A-Row program.
