Community Gardens Grow Food for the Hungry
As we recently celebrated the work many of our volunteer organizations do throughout Denton County, it was wonderful to learn of the tens of thousands of pounds of fresh fruits, vegetables, and eggs given to our local non-profits to help feed the hungry.
Ensuring our families receive nutritious foods to supplement the most-welcome donated goods from local grocery stores and food banks has always been our mission. From the Feeding Denton County 25-pound boxes of fresh fruits and vegetables delivered during the pandemic to supporting the expansion of our Tarrant Area Food Bank, we have come a long way to meeting the needs of our growing population.
Every effort helps, and we sincerely appreciate the 80,000 hours of service from more than 600 volunteers who labor throughout the year, tending to community gardens that provide additional produce for our residents and educating individuals about the importance of everything, from creating pollinator gardens to growing their own food.
AgriLife volunteers support five community gardens throughout the county that collectively produced more than 55,000 pounds of fresh produce and 4,900 dozen eggs in 2025, directly benefiting county residents and reinforcing food sustainability initiatives.
Shiloh Field (Denton) – All produce goes to the Denton Community Food Center, Our Daily Bread, Denton Freedom House, Denton County Friends of the Family, Denton Independent School District, Cumberland Youth and Family Services, First Refuge Ministries, and The Salvation Army. Recently, Shiloh added 100 fruit trees and should be able to provide fruit soon to add to the vegetables and 4,900 dozen eggs produced last year.
Community Strong Farm (Sanger) – All produce is donated to the Sanger Crisis Center, First Refuge Pantry, and Linda Tutt High School on-campus grocery store. This farm was devastated by the hailstorm last September, and the production amount was lower than normal. This farm has grown to include vegetable plots, fruit trees, greenhouses, and pollinator beds.
First Baptist Church Community Garden (Flower Mound) – All produce goes to Christian Community Action. Volunteers prepare 50 garden rows to start the season – planting 25 of the rows to grow produce to donate to CCA. The other 25 rows allow local neighbors to grow their own produce. Water is provided via a well on the property. The garden features fruit trees as well as the vegetable garden. The public is invited to every workday. and they always have a speaker from the volunteer group teach everyone a lesson from specifics about how to grow different crops to how settlers grew their gardens years ago and more.
The Grove at Sandy Jacobs Government Center
(Carrollton) – A variety of fruit (from figs to grapes and more) from The Grove generally go to Christian Community Action.
Shepherd’s Field at Oaks Chapel Bible Church (Double Oak) – All produce from the field goes to Kyle’s Place (Journey to Dream), Christian Community Action, Heart of the City, and the Salvation Army, all in Lewisville. This is Denton County’s newest community farm. Volunteers partner with the church, just as is done with the Flower Mound First Baptist Church Community Garden. The garden produced over 1,000 pounds in its first six months during the fall.
To connect with Bobbie, visit: facebook.com/DentonCountyCommissionerBobbieMitchell
