Roger Williams Park Produce Donation Garden

1000 elmwood avenue | providence, ri 02905

Project Leaders:
Kevin Rabbitt, atlwater@aol.com

Since 2011, this Community/PDP Garden in Roger Williams Park has served as a node in the community connecting volunteers, gardeners and the public to each other and our local food system. This unique garden combines over 60 10’ x 5’plots for Providence residents and 35 plots that Master Gardeners tend.  (contact bcinformation@providenceri.gov to inquire about plot availability). The MG plots grow food for donation to St Vincent de Paul and the Providence Rescue Mission totaling over 2600 pounds in 2019.

With nine workshops, URI Extension Master Gardeners planned and delivered a variety of relevant gardening topics to the public. From April through October topics covered the timeline of the growing season. Participants enjoy the conversational and casual nature of these workshops. The garden features an advanced composting system, drip irrigation and a bee keeping operation.

Master Gardeners are in the garden daily and available as mentors. In typical years, a public workshop is held on the second Saturday of each month.  While programming is paused in 2020 and hunger in Rhode Island is on the rise, the gardeners are focusing on growing as much food for donation as possible.