Grow and Give Program at Reiman Gardens

a honeycomb motif of many photos of bright, beautiful produce and the volunteers that helped with Plant A Row in 2022

2024 Pounds Donated

  • 1798

    Ames Main Street Farmers Market vendors

  • 1718

    Reiman Gardens

  • 2588

    ISU Horticulture Research

  • 11542

    Ames community growers and farmers

History

Launched in 1995, Plant A Row is a national public service program of Garden Communicators International (formerly the Garden Writers Association of America).  Since 1995, over 20 million pounds of produce providing over 80 million meals have been donated by American gardeners. All of this has been achieved without government subsidy or bureaucratic red tape - just people helping people. For more information on the national program click here.

Story County PAR in Ames Iowa began in 2004, and volunteers have been fighting hunger in Central Iowa by collecting and distributing over 107,000 pounds (53.6 tons!) of fresh garden produce to agencies in the Story County area. 

In 2024, Reiman Gardens transitioned the program out from under Plant a Row for the Hungry. The new name is the Grow and Give Program at Reiman.

Resources for home gardeners

Grower information for food pantry donations.

Top 13 vegetables to donate to food pantries.

Grow and Give volunteers show their progress as of 9-23-24

Volunteer with us!

There are multiple ways to help us combat food insecurity in Story County. 

  • Plant a row of produce in your home garden and drop it off at Reiman Gardens. Drop off times are 7:30-9:00 AM on Mondays* from mid-June to mid-October.
  • Collect left-over produce from vendors at the Ames Main Street Farmers Market on Saturdays.
  • Tend one of the many produce garden at Reiman Gardens.
  • Weigh, distribute, and drop-off donated produce each Monday with other volunteers.
  • Assist with promotion through social media and local media outlets.
Sign up to volunteer

Agencies Served