Solid Ground is dedicated to “working toward a just and caring community, free from poverty, prejudice and neglect.” Lettuce Link is a creative emergency food and gardening program that meets a very basic community need: We provide fresh organic produce, vegetable seeds, plant starts, organic gardening supplies, assistance and information to low-income people throughout Seattle, helping to prevent malnutrition and connecting people with the resources they need to grow their own nutritious foods. As the cost of organic produce is prohibitive for people struggling to make ends meet; Lettuce Link fills an important role in our community.

Description:
Operating under the belief that access to nutritious foods is a basic human right, we work to ensure that food bank clients, hot meals patrons and other low-income people have access to fresh, organic produce to supplement the canned goods and other “shelf” staples typically provided through emergency food programs—plus seeds and plant starts so they can grow their own vegetables. We do this in a number of ways, one of which is stewarding 1/2 acre Giving Garden at Marra Farm in South park.

History:
Volunteers help us provide access to fresh, organic produce by growing and harvesting organic produce for donation to the local food bank. We grow this produce in our Giving Garden at Marra Farm, a 4-acre historical farm located in the South Park neighborhood, one of Seattle’s most diverse and economically struggling neighborhoods.
Volunteers have found that tending and maintaining the garden is a fun and satisfying way to make a difference! Volunteers work outdoors in the fresh air doing projects such as weeding, harvesting vegetables, creating paths, fixing fences, hauling wood chips, doing minor repairs, and other tasks necessary to keep the garden going.

The site also serves as an “out-door” classroom where we teach children and community members about the environment, nutrition, hunger issues, and how community organic gardening can give back to and nurture communities. Volunteers help maintain the children’s area- ensuring that future generations understand where food comes from and providing the opportunity for hands-on gardening and nutrition classes.

Our garden manager outlines a variety of tasks that need to be accomplished at each work party and volunteers can choose the tasks that most interests them. She talks about principles of organic gardening and many volunteers leave the farm feeling that they have learned a lot and accomplished tons.

Contact people:

Michelle Bates-Benetua, Program Manager, (phone), (email) Sue McGann, Garden Manager, (phone), (email)

Office fax number: (206) 694-6777

Address:

9026 4th Ave. S Seattle, WA 98108 This location is NOT handicap accessible (See a map)

Web Site: http://www.fremontpublic.org/client/food.html#LettuceLink

Directions:

Directions to Marra Farm 9026 4th Ave S. Located in the South Park Neighborhood, just south of S. Cloverdale and 5th Ave S. Southbound – from 99 via First Avenue South Bridge Head southbound on 99. Go over the First Ave. South. . . (more)   Nearest Bus Stop: 130, 132, 60, 10 minute walk

Miscellaneous Information

Liability
	Yes
Does your organization welcome court-ordered community service volunteers?
	No
Does your organization have volunteer positions for youth 12-18?
	Yes