GPB highlights Hometown Harvest, UNG Food Pantry
Article By: Clark Leonard
The University of North Georgia's (UNG) Hometown Harvest partnership with the Lumpkin County School System and its Dahlonega Campus Food Pantry were highlighted in "A Fork in the Road" on Georgia Public Broadcasting. It was the opening portion of a 30-minute episode Georgia Grown produced by David Zelski to put a spotlight on Dahlonega.
Dr. David Patterson, an associate professor of biology who leads UNG's portion of Hometown Harvest, expressed gratitude for being able to share the story of the collaboration.
"Hometown Harvest is very excited about our participation in 'A Fork in the Road,' and we're gearing up for another spring/summer garden season," Patterson said. "Last year we produced almost 400 pounds of fresh vegetables for the Lumpkin County School System, so we're hoping to top that this year. We've also had incredible community and UNG involvement over the past year."
Julie Knight-Brown, school nutrition director for Lumpkin County Schools, was also among those interviewed for "A Fork in the Road."
"This collaboration creates fresh produce we include in school meals, education for all ages and connection within the community," Knight-Brown said.
This was such a wonderful opportunity to show some of the good things that are happening through UNG at the Vickery House ... These programs help us to show our students the importance of service to the community and also show our UNG family and the local community that we care.
Sherry Parker
Dahlonega Campus Food Pantry leader and administrative assistant in College of Education
According to its website, "A Fork in the Road" features "Georgia's farmers, retailers, artisans, chefs, and other key players who help provide Georgia Grown products to folks in the Peach State and beyond. We learn about these businesses' origins, how they operate and what it takes to succeed. Viewers will get an honest and realistic picture of how food and agricultural products are grown and made in Georgia."
The segment focused on efforts based out of UNG's Historic Vickery House also included an interview with Sherry Parker, who oversees the Dahlonega Campus Food Pantry, and Morgan Southerland, biology lab coordinator and Hometown Harvest volunteer.
"This was such a wonderful opportunity to show some of the good things that are happening through UNG at the Vickery House," Parker, an administrative assistant in the College of Education, said. "It has been the goal of Hometown Harvest, the UNG Food Pantry and the Appalachian Studies program to create a space where UNG students, staff, faculty, and the broader community can interact and obtain valuable resources. These programs help us to show our students the importance of service to the community and also show our UNG family and the local community that we care."
The Dahlonega Campus Food Pantry at the Vickery House is open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday-Thursday during the spring and fall semesters. It is available by appointment in the summer by calling 706-864-1533.
The Dahlonega episode also features the Red Oak Lavender Farm & Shop, Big Creek Distillery, and Dahlonega Resort and Vineyard.
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