Community Garden Gives Away 12 Tons of Produce Every Year

Franklin First UMC Giving Garden

We stopped by to visit the Giving Garden at Franklin First United Methodist. We spoke to Lynn Wallace and Jody Todd. As we walked up to the garden, you could see people volunteering in the 5-acre parcel dedicated to growing plants to feed the community.


After Franklin First United Methodist had purchased their current property visible from Mack Hatcher, a church member had they an idea for a pumpkin patch.

From there, the garden became what it is today. Since 2010, the Giving Garden has distributed more than 25,000 pounds or 12 tons of produce each year. All of the produce is donated and delivered to their partner organizations.

In the Giving Garden, they practice sustainable gardening practices with composting, mulching, and using only organic products for pest and disease control. They also use rain water to assist in watering their garden.

Below is a list of the Distribution Partners

Building Lives Foundation
College Grove UMC Food Bank
Community Childcare
Community Housing
DUI General Sessions
Daughters of the King
OneGenAway
Georgia Gaines-Hard Bargain
Green Street Church of God
Henry Booker/Natchez Area
Liberty Elementary School
Limestone Baptist Food Bank
Meals on Wheels
MAC Program
My Friend’s House
Nashville Food Project
New Hope Academy
Project Transformation
Second Harvest Food Bank
St. Anthony’s Closet
Thistle Farms
Waves
The Well Food Bank

The Franklin Farmers Market has joined with the Giving Garden by supplying them with surplus produce from many of the vendors that they, in turn, provide to their distribution partners.

For those interested in volunteering at the Giving Garden, email [email protected]. Franklin First United Methodist is located at 120 Aldersgate Way, Franklin. Learn more about the Giving Garden here.