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Garden Evaluation
MEASURE: MONEY SAVED
Method: Calculate the monetary value of your market produce
- Weigh each type of harvested crop separately and log totals. You can use the harvest log template below as an example.
- Multiply by the market value of each fruit and vegetable to determine what individuals WOULD be spending if they were buying at the grocery store. You can go by what you know the price to be at a local grocery store, or see the button below for average produce prices
- If you know how many people you serve, you can go a step further and calculate how much money your garden is saving each person. Just divide the total value of the produce grown by the number of people.
See the example below:
A volunteer at God's Garden harvests a large watermelon.
God's Garden volunteers gather at the tractor with their watermelon harvest.
In this example, the total money saved is $240. If 20 people come to the food pantry and take produce, on average your garden is saving each individual $12 ($240/ 20 people)
Wait a minute! Many people need food donations, but have you considered how you might sustain your garden program if 100% of your harvest is donated? Consider reserving a portion of that produce to sell or create a value-added product from leftover produce to sell (think jams, jellies, dried fruits + herbs!). Contact a Resourceful Communities Program staff member to learn more!
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