Prison garden at Grafton Correctional Institution: Inmates help donate 20,000 pounds of produce

This spring and summer, inmates at Grafton Correctional Institution spent hours in the garden that sits within prison walls planting, weeding and growing produce. By the end of the summer, they had harvested and donated 20,000 pounds of food for organizations like Catholic Charities. The food donations are crucial to organizations like the Bishop Cosgrove Center, a day drop-in center on Superior Avenue in Cleveland. Terrel Valentine, program director at the center, said they serve up to 350 people lunch and 250 people breakfast daily. The fresh vegetables from the prison are an important part of those meals, especially considering the cost to buy produce. “It is a blessing in itself because first off, just trying to purchase fruit, vegetables, those types of things, they're so expensive. We are dealing with populations of folks who do have food disparities,” Valentine said. “So to be able to incorporate healthy food into our menu is really a blessing for those who benefit from this program.” Valentine, who does the menu planning for the center, is always looking for creative ways to incorporate the produce into the meals they serve. She also said their sister site, a shelter called St. Elizabeth in Lorain, also receives food from the garden. “It's beautiful for those who benefit from it, it's beautiful for us who are actually coming out here to see it, and especially for those who are out here with their hands in the soil and actually producing this stuff for us,” Valentine said. “So our community benefits, the community here benefits, I just think it's a win-win altogether.” Full coverage: https://www.wkyc.com/article/news/loc... -- At 3News, we’re not here to tell you the news, we’re here to share the stories that you say matter most to you. Share your ideas, thoughts, concerns and engage in conversations about the communities in which we all call home. Follow 3News on Social: Facebook:   /      Twitter:   / wkyc     Instagram:   /      Visit our site: https://www.wkyc.com/ And be sure to download our app here: https://wkyc.com/app