Giving Garden Helps Fill Pantries' Need for Better Nutrition

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Byline: Eileen O. Daday Daily Herald Correspondent By Eileen O. Daday Daily Herald Correspondent

Food pantries are evolving as the need from families and individuals hit hard by the recession continues to grow.

What once were backrooms filled with shelves of canned goods and nonperishable food items gradually has turned into more of a shopping experience for patrons, who fill grocery bags themselves as they choose what food items they would like.

With that trend comes another upgrade in the model; food pantries are becoming more like markets as they receive more fresh fruits and vegetables from local gardeners.

For more than 10 years, the Daily …