The garden at Brandywine Living Princeton is in full bloom.
The assisted living and memory care facility partnered with the South Brunswick Food Pantry to give back to the community, Stephanie Gaber, escapades producer at Brandywine, said.
“Our seniors look forward every year to garden as this was what many used to do before they came to Brandywine. We currently have 14 members in our ‘Can you Dig It’ garden club,” said Stephanie Gaber, escapades producer at Brandywine, adding the resident “love” to give back.
The partnership between the senior living community and food pantry is a mutually beneficial relationship to the community’s residents and local families in need, Gaber said.
This year members planted a variety of tomatoes, kale zucchini, peppers, radishes green beans, cucumbers and herbs.
Brandywine residents said they enjoy taking the lead in caring for the garden after planting.
Joe Bonomo said “watering, weeding and TLC (tender loving care) is what helps our garden grow.”
“The garden group members are super enthusiastic to be able to connect with their community in such a special way,” he said.
Virginia Cipriani said she used to garden in Italy when she was a young girl.
“When I moved to New Jersey, I had a big garden with lots of tomatoes to make sauce, it feels good to still be able to garden and help our community members that are in need,” she said.