What growgreencountry means to me...

I (Brooke) remember last summer standing at the kitchen sink. My husband brings in a huge bucket of fresh picked okra. Our freezer was full of cut okra to be eaten in the fall and winter. And, we had eaten fried okra for several nights. Our garden not only feeds us but my in-laws as well. They live close by and tend the garden too. After sharing, cooking and freezing, we STILL had okra coming out of our ears. In fact, I never wanted to see another piece of okra again. I distinctly remember saying to my husband, "I wish I knew where to take this...to help those in need...those who are hungry!!" Well, I'm happy to say the solution has been found!


Our desire is to find families/growers who feel the same way. You can only eat so many tomatoes, zucchini, squash, turnips and have I mentioned okra yet? Ironically, after selling or giving some away to friends and family there is still more! I really feel this program will allow people to feel good about where their home grown food is going. And you just can't beat us picking it up for you! Don't forget you can always throw down a few extra seeds and mark it "to feed the hungry" with your kids!! I will post pictures of the food being donated, dropped off and eaten...YOU can make a difference!


I am also very excited because of the nutritional quality of food we will be serving the hungry. When Heather and I were at the Youth and Family center, we saw lots of Ramen noodles and canned good items. Those items are much better than having nothing to eat but they are not nutritious. Much of the produce we collect will go to families who have children. Children need fresh food for the mind and bodies to develop properly. The benefits of fruits and veggies are not only for children but for everyone. We all need the vitamins, minerals and enzymes that can only be found in fresh fruits and vegetables.



John 3:16 has a chef who I've heard can make a meal out of pretty much anything. I hope to meet him when we go to serve at the mission soon. Please know that what you take the time and energy to grow WILL benefit the hungry...there are hungry people in Oklahoma...we have seen the need."Okies" have big hearts. Almost every person I talk to about growgreencountry shares their favorite recipes, gardening tips or a basket full of enthusiasm. A teacher from my daughter's school took time to hand write her mother's recipe for pickled okra...I must have told her about my story of okra in a previous conversation. :)

Thank you to all those who are interested, participating and supporting us...together we will make a difference!