North Americans Are Invited to Apply, Vote, and Inspire Change from the Ground Up

Access to fresh, organic, chemical-free food is a right that has come to the forefront thanks in part to people like the First Lady, with her focus on the White House organic garden and her quest to eliminate food deserts – areas where healthy affordable food is difficult to obtain. Nature’s Path Organic Foods, the largest organic cereal manufacturer in North America, has championed this movement for decades and is continuing its active support of urban agriculture with the launch of the second annual Gardens for Good grant contest – a program that empowers communities to take action and grow organically where they live.

“We had an incredible response to the first year of Gardens for Good, and we are thrilled to be able to continue to help provide access to healthy, organic food and the education needed to sustain it again this year,” says Arran Stephens, Nature’s Path’s President and co-founder. “Through this program, we hope not only to provide funds for urban farming projects, but to also cultivate socially responsible community leaders who will bring people together to feed those in need.”

Nature’s Path, with the help of Organic Gardening magazine, is kicking off the second annual Gardens For Good grant contest on August 1st. This year, three deserving non-profits who demonstrate a passion and vision for organic urban farming will each receive a share of $65,000 toward an organic, community garden project. Where the gardens bloom is left up to the people – passionate community members and organizations are encouraged to apply and vote online between August 1, 2011 and September 30, 2011. From the ten organizations (five U.S. and five Canadian) that receive the most public votes, Nature’s Path will choose three winners (two in the U.S. and one in Canada based on the strength of the application) to become the recipients of: a cash grant; technical design and production mentorship provided by Organic Gardening magazine; a free organic breakfast community celebration; and a donation of Nature’s Path products to help fill the pantries of a local food bank.