The Arlington Food Assistance Center (AFAC) is again this year asking local gardeners to grow fruits and vegetables to help feed families in need in Arlington. AFAC - Arlington's food pantry - will provide free seeds to those gardeners willing to donate all or a portion of what they grow.

This year is the fifth in AFAC's local effort to obtain more fresh produce for the families it serves. It is part of the national Plant A Row for the Hungry program through which gardeners are urged to donate a portion of their vegetables and fruits to local food pantries.

Last year we received more than 175,000 pounds of fresh produce," said Puwen Lee, the AFAC Plot Against Hunger coordinator. "We hope the enthusiasm and generosity of local gardeners will bring in even more produce this summer."

AFAC Executive Director Charles Meng noted that almost over 1,200 needy families come to AFAC each week for free supplemental groceries. That's an increase of 45-50 percent over the same period last year. "Fresh fruits and vegetables are an important addition to the non-perishable groceries, milk, meat and bread we supply, and the growing number of client families means we will need even more this summer," he said.

Last year, AFAC's partners included, among others, the Northern Virginia Extension Service, Master Gardeners of Northern Virginia, vendors at Arlington County's Farmers' Markets at Courthouse, Crystal City and Columbia Pike, the Mid-Atlantic Gleaning Network (MAGNET), community gardeners at Barton Street, Buchanan Street, Lang Street and Fort Barnard gardens, students from the 13 area elementary schools, St. Mary's Episcopal Church, St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, Rock Spring U.C.C and individual backyard gardeners. Thank you to everyone who participated.

In the coming growing season, AFAC hopes to enlist more community gardeners, commercial growers and schools in this gardening effort. To obtain free seeds for an individual or community Plot Against Hunger garden (or help in other ways), call Puwen Lee at (703) 845-8486 or send an email to: puwen.lee@afac.org.