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Charitable farm has dinner to thank its volunteers

By Community Bulletin
on December 02, 2016 at 1:30 PM

America’s Grow-a-Row (AGAR) is a non-profit organization located in Pittstown, NJ that grows and gleans fresh fruits and vegetables that are donated to those facing hunger throughout the state of New Jersey.

AGAR donates over 1 million pounds of farm-fresh food each year to various hunger relief agencies in New Jersey while at the same time educating people of all ages about hunger, the importance of agriculture, and healthy eating.  Since inception in 2002, AGAR has donated over 6 million pounds of farm fresh food to those in need.

On Friday, November 11th, AGAR hosted the 7th annual Thanks for Giving Barn Dinner in appreciation of the more than 7,000 people who volunteered for the organization this year. AGAR awarded the following volunteer groups:

The “Carpe Veggies” award went to Merck for participating in the most volunteer events during 2016. Through 21 planting and harvesting events, they were able to help AGAR donate 820,000 servings of healthy food in 2016.

The “Full Circle Champions” award went to Montgomery Academy for the most well-rounded youth involvement.

The “Growing with You” Rookie of the Year award went to Unity Bank. Unity Bank started as a Farm to Fork sponsor and volunteer team and grew their involvement into having one planting or harvesting event each month and participated in a produce delivery to Flemington Food Pantry.

The “Five Bar” award went to the team from AT&T for having volunteers who always work full-strength in the fields.

The “Good Investment” award went to Bloomberg L.P. for time well-spent in the field and for harvesting the widest variety of produce.

The “Fields of Study” award went to Seton Hall University for the most fields harvested by a university.

The “Deep-Rooted Supporters” award went to Greenman-Pedersen, Inc. for ongoing support including sponsorship, harvesting, donating a barbeque grill, helping with free farm market deliveries, and volunteering on Grow-a-Row Kids Farm Days.

The “Free Farm Market Hero” award went to Billy Murphy for his hard work and dedication toward making the Jersey City Free Farm Market the best it can be.

The “Apple of Our Eye” award went to Farmers Against Hunger for their long term support and dedication to AGAR’s mission by picking up and delivering the apples gleaned from local farms.

The “Gleaning Gladiator” award went to Gabriela Bonnavent for being essential in the coordination of the gleaned produce distribution at the Hunterdon County YMCA.