Hershey Community Garden adds 100 plots

From left to right: Kathleen McGraw, director of communications and corporate social responsibility at Hershey Entertainment & Resorts; Dave Warren, co-manager for Hershey Community Garden and manager of landscape and inventory at Hershey Entertainment & Resorts; Rick Stewart, co-manager for Hershey Community Garden; Jim George, director of community relations at Penn State Health; Katrina Biddell, manager of philanthropy and community engagement at The Hershey Company; Christine Drexler, president and founder of Cocoa Packs.

Penn State Health leaders joined Hershey Entertainment & Resorts and other Hershey organizations to celebrate the grand opening of Phase II of the Hershey Community Garden (HCG) on April 24.

The new addition provides 100 more garden plots for community residents to grow their own fruits, vegetables, herbs and flowers. Opened in 2014, the garden now has a total of 225 plots. The produce cultivated in 14 of those plots is donated to local families in need via the Hershey Food Bank, Cocoa Packs, Hope Lodge and other organizations.

Plots are available to community residents for a suggested annual donation of $25. HCG is located on Life Lion Drive on the campus of Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center. Gardeners can participate in onsite educational events, hands-on gardening demonstrations and festivals.

HCG features two acres of fenced area with secure keypad gates, gazebos, picnic tables, storage sheds with gardening tools and hose access throughout the garden.

The garden was founded and built by Hershey Impact, a group comprised of the Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, The Hershey Company, Milton Hershey School, Hershey Entertainment & Resorts and the M.S. Hershey Foundation.

Learn more about HCG and how to book a plot on the Hershey Community Garden website.

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