Tucked away on the University’s South Campus, on a plot of land off of Skytop Road, is a photogenic garden full of life. Pete’s Giving Garden is a partnership between Syracuse University Sustainability Management, the David B. Falk College of Sport and Human Dynamics food studies and nutrition program and the Hendricks Chapel Food Pantry. The garden has been open since 2017 and its bounty has been making appearances in kitchens on and off campus ever since.
Pete’s Giving Garden and the University’s two food pantry locations bring together students, faculty, and staff to combat food insecurity through environmentally conscious practices. As part of this flourishing community garden, students are not only provided with fresh produce, but also a sense of collective responsibility for the wellbeing of the University community as a whole.
“It’s definitely something that they (SU students) can incorporate into their diet and takes a little bit of stress off their grocery bill,” says Justus Holden-Betts, student manager at Pete’s Giving Garden and a dual major in the Falk College. As the student manager at the garden, she plants the crops and harvests them to be sent to the pantries. “Something I am very intentional about is the planning process,” says Holden-Betts, “in terms of vegetables, growing ones that people will know how to use and enjoy eating.” After harvesting the produce, Holden-Betts brings the produce to the South Campus food pantry, located in the Carriage House at 161 Farm Acre Road, rinses it and leaves it for the students to grab during their visit.
Sustainability Coordinator Melissa Cadwell worked with Hendricks Chapel and joined the team when it first opened at the Carriage House in 2017. Cadwell warmly welcomes Syracuse and SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry (ESF) students in and manages the South Campus pantry. Her goal to help all students get the most out of Syracuse University is vital to the mission of the pantry itself. “All students should have the same experience at Syracuse University,” says Cadwell. “That experience includes going out with your friends for coffee, going to the farmer’s market, joining clubs. If you don’t have the funds to get the whole student experience, then you should come to the food pantry. It’s here to catch you and help you.”
Student coordinator for the South Campus pantry Leondra Tyler stresses the benefit that the pantry has on the University community. While the COVID-19 pandemic was just beginning, so was Tyler’s history with the pantry. During the pandemic, Tyler witnessed the true impact of her work. “I noticed not only the impact of having food but also a social impact. A lot of people would come here and stay here for hours to talk to me. I really enjoyed that and that’s what made me love the pantry a lot.”
The food pantries are open to any Syracuse University or SUNY ESF student. The South Campus food pantry is open from 1 to 4 p.m. on Wednesdays during the summer. For anyone who wants to help with Pete’s Giving Garden, there are open volunteer hours on Wednesdays from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
For more information about sustainability initiatives on campus, please visit the Syracuse University Sustainability Management website.
Story by Angelina Grevi, Syracuse City School District communications intern
