Grow food and give it away

Jill Severn

For far longer than any living person can remember, people have been growing food and sharing it. This year, we should double down on that.  

Federal food aid for low-income families, seniors, school lunches and food banks is on the chopping block. Grocery prices will probably continue to rise, along with prices for other necessities. 

We know how this will affect the many people in our community who live at the opposite end of the economic spectrum from Elon Musk. More hardship is on the way. 

Here’s what we can do besides arguing about Elon: 

 This spring, if we have enough space, we can plant more than we need. Maybe we can dig up some lawn to make more room. Maybe we can find a neighbor — or be a neighbor — willing to share garden space. We can grow more, and give away more. 

This summer and fall, we can also knock on the doors of people who have fruit trees they don’t harvest, and see if we can get that fruit to people who need it. 

We can donate produce to the Thurston County Food Bank this year.  

Some of us might also volunteer at one of the Kiwanis gardens, or at GRuB (Garden Raised Bounty), or at other local church/mosque/temple or community gardens. 

We can make financial contributions of all sizes to food-providing nonprofits, too. 

All that’s not to say we shouldn’t argue about Elon, too. Even arguing can be useful if it leads to civil discussions about the U. S. Constitution, the federal budget ... and persuading people that pitching in to meet immediate community needs is a patriotic act. 

A bountiful crop to share 

Green beans are a great candidate for sharing because they are so productive, eager to grow, and versatile in the kitchen.  

It’s not time to plant green beans yet, but it’s time to think about them, because there are important choices to make about which kinds to plant. 

I’ve been loitering around the seed racks, and reading up on the merits of the many varieties — both those that climb, and those that grow in short fat bushes.  

The best of the bush beans are the haricot verts. The traditional French name probably sounds a bit snooty to some people, so lately I’ve seen labels that read “French green beans,” or “filet-type” green beans, because, as Google told me, "filet" in French means "thin." And yes, these beans are thin, delicate, delicious and bountiful. 

Last year I was excited to find and plant seeds for a climbing variety for these svelte beans, because the climbers give you more beans in less space. But the reviews were mixed.

Although they’re very good, they aren’t quite as tasty as the bush variety. Getting them to germinate required a second planting on the first of June because they needed very warm soil, and they weren’t as vigorous as other climbers. They’re not invited back. 

This year, neighbors have urged me to plant scarlet runner beans. They are climbers often grown for their double duty as food and decorative flowers. There are a surprising number of these too — so if you aren’t fond of scarlet, there are others with pink and white flowers, and another that has all pink flowers and edible roots. They are all reputed to produce plenty of good beans. 

But since I’m in the mood for nostalgia, I bought a packet of the old favorite, Kentucky Wonder beans. It’s wonderful to watch these robust climbers push up out of the earth and wind themselves up and around poles as if they’re on their way to heaven. I’m pretty sure this is the variety that Jack, of bean stalk fame, climbed. And the quantity of beans this variety produces will definitely make you believe in magic. 

Giving them away may also feel like magic: It makes a person feel full, not in the belly, but in the spirit.