Giving Gardens

The Giving Gardens program aims to promote and support efforts to maintain community gardens and provide educational garden programming in Portage County.

The produce harvested from these gardens is donated to local food distribution centers in order to increase food security and provide healthy meal options for economically disadvantaged citizens.

In 2023, over 18,000 pounds of produce was distributed and donated to local food distribution centers in order to increase food security and provide healthy meal options for economically disadvantaged citizens.

The Giving Gardens and Food Access Coordinator is Miranda Gust. Miranda can be reached at givinggardenswi@gmail.com.

Giving Gardens Site Locations:

• Ben Franklin Middle School
• Boys and Girls Club – Schierl Center – Plover
• CAP Services – Head Start
• Central Rivers Farmshed
• Frame Memorial Presbyterian Church
• Interfaith Food Pantry
• Madison View Garden
• Ruth Gilfry Center
• Stevens Point YMCA
• UWSP Campus Garden

GLEANING or the collection of produce after the end of market, occurs at the Stevens Point Summer Farmers Market on the Downtown Square July through October.

Volunteers are encouraged to participate in the planting, garden maintenance, and gleaning process. Please email Miranda for more information or to volunteer with Giving Gardens.

SNAP/EBT at the Farmers Market Double Dollars Program

At the Stevens Point Summer Farmers Market you can use your SNAP/EBT card to receive tokens to spend with vendors.

1. Find the Farmers Market Information Booth
2. Bring your SNAP/EBT card and PIN, swipe your card for any amount.
3. The Farmers Market will double any amount up to $20 (once per Saturday while supplies last.) Example: swipe your SNAP/EBT card for $8, get $8 in double dollar tokens for a total of $16 to spend at the Stevens Point Farmers Market.
4. The tokens do not expire and can be used to purchase any SNAP eligible items.

The Stevens Point Summer Farmers Market Double Dollars program is funded through community donations and grants.

Want to donate to our double dollars program? All donations are tax deductible through the market’s Fiscal Agent Partnership with Partners HP – a registered 501(c)(3).

*Be sure to select ‘Summer Farmers Market’ in the drop down box when donating!

Get more information on sponsorship benefit levels by emailing: stevenspointfarmersmarket@gmail.com
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For more information visit the Stevens Point Farmers Market Food Access page or connect with the Giving Gardens/Food Access Coordinator.

Thank you for your support!”