Plant a Row for the Hungry Program Kicks Off Its 25th Year
Thursday, May 14, 2025
WICHITA – The Plant a Row for the Hungry program is celebrating its 25th year in Sedgwick County by encouraging local gardeners to grow a little extra this season and donate the surplus to help fight hunger in our community. With 15.2 percent (Feeding America, 2023) of Sedgwick County residents experiencing food insecurity, the program offers a simple yet impactful way for gardeners to make a difference—by sharing homegrown fruits, vegetables, and herbs with those in need. Whether it's one plant or one row, every contribution from your garden can help provide fresh, nutritious food to individuals and families who might otherwise go without.
This community-driven initiative is a collaboration between Sedgwick County Extension Master Gardener Volunteers, ICT Food Rescue, and a network of local businesses that serve as collection points for donated produce. All donations are then distributed to local residents struggling with food access, offering them a healthier option in their daily meals.
Each year, an estimated 39,500 tons of food end up in Wichita landfills. The Plant a Row program helps reduce that waste while feeding neighbors in need. “Plant a Row is a powerful way to fight food waste and support food-insecure families,” says Abbey Draut, Horticulture Food Crops Agent with K-State Research and Extension in Sedgwick County.
In 2024, the program received 4,404 pounds of donated produce—enough to provide 3,670 meals and generate an estimated $8,500 in cost savings. “I encourage Sedgwick County residents to donate quality fruits, vegetables, and herbs,” says Draut. “Your contribution nourishes vulnerable members of our community and keeps healthy food out of the landfill.”
Beginning June 1st through the first week of September, donations will be collected from ten conveniently located drop-off sites around the Wichita-metro area and delivered to those in need. Donations will be accepted at:
- Botanica, The Wichita Gardens - 701 Amidon St.
- Brady Nursery - 11200 W. Kellogg
- Hillside Nursery - 2200 S. Hillside
- Hillside Feed & Seed - 1805 S. Hillside
- Johnson’s Garden Center – East, 6225 E. Shadybrook
- Johnson’s Garden Center – West, 2707 W. 13th
- Mc’s Market - 1901 E. 21st N.
- Valley Feed & Seed - 1903 S. Meridian
- Woodard Mercantile – Andover, 1313 E. US-54
- Woodard Mercantile – Maize, 4160 N. Maize Rd.
Started as a public service program by the Garden Writers Association and the GWA Foundation in 1995, the local Plant a Row for the Hungry effort has distributed 811,404 pounds of fresh food since beginning locally in 2000.
KSRE Sedgwick County Plant A Row website: https://www.sedgwick.k-state.edu/local-food/plantarow.html
ICT Food Rescue website: https://ictfoodrescue.org/
Source
Abbey Draut, Horticulture Agent
316-660-0142
abbeyd@ksu.edu