Second Harvest Food Bank’s Gardening and Seed-Starting Program Cultivates Community Change Across Lehigh Valley and Northeast PA

Across our network, we see firsthand how our member food banks are moving beyond traditional food distribution to create sustainable, long-term solutions for food insecurity. One standout example is the Gardening and Seed-Starting Program at the Second Harvest Food Bank of Lehigh Valley and NEPA. By turning tiny seeds into hundreds of pounds of produce, the food bank is providing fresh, healthy ingredients directly from their garden to their neighbors’ plates.

This initiative is a prime example of community partnership in action. In 2024, the local Home Depot donated all necessary supplies and built the beds for the Food Bank. Those 16 raised beds, located right at the food bank, bring the program to life with donated seeds and the helping hands of volunteers and staff.

Today, under the leadership of Nutrition Educator Kim Slack, the garden thrives through an “all hands on deck” approach. Dedicated staff start the plants from seeds donated by seed companies. Volunteers manage the weeding and harvesting, and food bank drivers ensure the plants stay hydrated by transporting water to the beds.

The impact of this garden is tangible. In 2024, the beds yielded 420 pounds of produce, a number that climbed to over 500 pounds in 2025. In addition to being distributed to nrigbors, this fresh harvest is used for on-site cooking demonstrations and tastings, teaching neighbors how to turn garden-fresh ingredients into nutritious meals.

Second Harvest’s vision extends far beyond their own garden gates. Kim Slack works year-round to secure seed packet donations to put directly into the hands of the community. However, providing the seeds is only the beginning. Providing gardening and cooking knowledge builds life-long skills for neighbors to nourish themselves and their families.

Through the Healthy Pantry Initiative (HPI), Kim pairs each seed packet with a specialized recipe card. When a neighbor receives a packet of seeds, they also receive a roadmap for how to use the eventual harvest, such as pairing tomato seeds with a recipe for a fresh, healthy sauce. These packets are then delivered to partner agencies throughout the Lehigh Valley and NEPA regions.

Partner Agency Spotlight: Northern Lehigh Food Bank

The success of this program is best seen through the eyes of Second Harvest Food Bank’s partner agencies, like the Northern Lehigh Food Bank in Slatington. Director Barbara Scheirer has been part of this food bank’s story since the early 90s, following in the footsteps of her parents who began volunteering there in the late 80s.

Today, Northern Lehigh serves approximately 180 families per month through a drive-through distribution model. As a participant in the Healthy Pantry Initiative, they prioritize providing fresh food and nutritious recipes to their neighbors, making the seed packets a special highlight during spring distributions.

“The seed packets are always so well-received,” Barbara says. She recalls one neighbor who was particularly moved to receive radish seeds; every time he attended a distribution throughout the summer, he would give Barbara updates on how well his radish plants were doing.

From its humble beginnings in 1987 serving just 11 families, the Northern Lehigh Food Bank has grown alongside Second Harvest to meet the evolving needs of their rural community. Whether it is a box of essential pantry staples or a single packet of seeds, the goal remains the same: nourishing our neighbors and providing the tools they need to thrive.

At Feeding Pennsylvania, we are proud to support the innovative work of member food banks like Second Harvest. Together, we aren’t just feeding families for today. We are planting the seeds for a healthier tomorrow.