Project Highlight: Renew Church in Lynnwood

The Renew Church in Lynnwood is a Lawns to Lettuce cost-share recipient, and has utilized their on-site garden to grow food for the recipients of their weekly food bank every Wednesday. Much of what they have grown has been supplied by the vegetable start donations produced by the Monroe High School FFA programs.

Currently, they are replacing many of the wooden boards they have on their property made from railroad ties. These are harmful, when used near edible plants, due to the chemical creosote used in their manufacturing process. Other wood that is unsafe to grow food in or near includes older pressure treated lumber, which has copper and arsenic, to reduce the rate it decomposes under the elements.

Renew Community Garden has volunteers who work with the garden space, who have come from the following countries:  Mexico, Ukraine, Belarus, Kenya, Philippines, Korean American, Afghanistan, Russian, El Salvador. These volunteers have been able to grow foods familiar to them in this garden space, increasing participation and community interest.

When it comes to edible food grown in or near lumber which may have arsenic or creosote, when in doubt throw it out!