The 2025 growing season has come to a close, and Allies’ Project Grow program is celebrating the end of the season and the fruitful donation of more than 1,000 pounds of produce to local food banks.
What started as a difficult season filled with heavy rains and oppressive heat ended in success as Project Grow donated 1,116.5 pounds of fresh produce to food banks in Hunterdon, Mercer, and Somerset Counties. In total, 846 pounds were donated to Mercer Friends Food Bank, 138 pounds were donated to Duke Farms in Somerset county, and 90 pounds were donated to Flemington Food Bank in Hunterdon county.
“Allies Day Habilitation programs take pride in being part of the community. Through Project Grow, we can partner with the food banks and give back to the communities we live in,” Beth Lopez, VP of Day Habilitation Services at Allies, said. “From the preparation of the garden to the donations of the fresh produce and herbs, program participants are working towards a common goal of giving back to our community.”
In addition to giving back to the community, the Project Grow program is well-loved among its participants and facilitators.
“As a Horticultural Therapist, I find this program to be of such a benefit to our individuals, using horticulture activities to meet specific therapeutic or rehabilitative goals,” MaryAnne McMillan, HTR, a leader of Allies’ Project Grow, said. “This program focuses on and includes cognitive, physical, emotional, and social well-being goals.”
During the 2025 season, the program was expanded so that attendees at all seven Allies Day Habilitation sites throughout the state were able to participate and experience the benefits of horticultural therapy.
“The visits to the garden at MCCC and Duke Farms were informative and engaging,” Lopez said. “The program participants enjoyed their time in the gardens and learned valuable new skills.”
In addition to expanding Project Grow into every Allies day habilitation program, the type of programming was expanded as well to include participants who might not be able to physically work in a garden.
“This year we introduced the passive garden experience in the gardens and with plants and nature, stimulating many individuals that might not be physically able to work in the gardens,” McMillan said. “We have also introduced these benefits to local High School students and MCCC Dreams students with disabilities.
“I would like to thank our wonderful Project Grow staff who work so hard to make this program a success,” Lopez said. “MaryAnne McMillan, Jean D’Amore, Nick Stryker, Alex Jaffee and Frances Pastore are all tremendous assets to this program, and their hard work makes it possible for the program to continue. I look forward to witnessing the engaging horticultural activities over the next few months and the opening of the 2026 season.”
Organizers have already started planning for next year’s activities and planting schedule. Project Grow and Allies are currently seeking sponsorship and grant opportunities to continue growing this incredible program in New Jersey.
Allies would like to thank everyone whose support has made Project Grow a success.