Lee Erwin reporting
lerwin@clarksvillenow.com
CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. – Imagine a world where teenagers are working together, learning about the Clarksville-Montgomery County community and growing produce for our local hunger relief organizations. That is one of the driving forces behind the Food Initiative, formerly known as Mission Clarksville a local nonprofit organization.
The Food Initiative offers high school students from Montgomery County and Fort Campbell the chance to create personal and social change through hard, meaningful work. The students work in a community garden and grow food which is sold at local markets to raise funds and donated to area hunger relief organizations.
Michael Hampton with the Food Initiative talked about how the students learn about the food system. “They get a chance to work all the way from the time they plant the seed, they weed it, take care of it and harvest it and help prepare and serve it at different organizations,” said Hampton.
High school students in public or private schools ages 14-17, in grades 9-11 in Montgomery County and Fort Campbell can apply to be part of the program by going to the website, www.thefoodinitiative.org. The process to be a part of the Food Initiative’s summer programs and Hampton says it is much like applying for a job.
Hampton added that each high school student in the program is matched with a community sponsor such as a business or organization that provides financial support for the young person to complete the program. Individuals and families also help with pledges of financial support for students.
The Food Initiative’s actual garden is located in Sango just off of Mt. Carmel Road and Hampton said they grow pretty much anything you would grow in your home garden. A new edition to the garden area is chickens which help with insect control, fertilizer and they of course also provide eggs.
As a business, church, civic organization or individual, you can show your support for the Food Initiative by sponsoring a young person, making a monetary donation or becoming a volunteer to help in the community garden. To learn more about the Food Initiative visit their facebook page, go to their website at www.thefoodinitiative.org or call 931-905-6998.