From Farm to Table: How One Teen’s Garden Is Feeding Hundreds of Hungry Families

Katie Stagliano never imagined that the 40-pound cabbage she grew for a school contest would have planted the start of an inspiring non-profit that’s stamping out hunger one vegetable garden at a time.

By Sharon Tanenbaum
 
Katie Stagliano caught the gardening bug early, thanks to her family’s garden in their backyard of their Summerville, S.C., home.
 
"It wasn’t that much. It was like a few tomato plants, a pepper plant, and a lettuce," Katie says of her "salad garden."
 
Of course it may not seem like much now to this ambitious seventh grader, who turned her passion for planting and picking into a thriving non-profit organization that manages nearly 20 gardens to help to feed the homeless and hungry through local shelters and soup kitchens. The group, Katie’s Krops is featured on the next episode of Everyday Health airing October 1 or 2 on your local ABC station.
And it all got started with a not-so-small cabbage.
 
Planting the Seed of Change — Literally
 
When Katie, now 13, was in third grade, her school participated in the Bonnie Plants’ Third Grade Cabbage Program, which provides students with cabbage plants to grow to win a $1,000 scholarship (and bragging rights, natch).
 
"We planted it and treated it like every other plant in the garden," Katie recalls. "But it ended up growing to be so much bigger than every other plant."
 
In fact, the cabbage (an O.S. Cross variety, known for producing giant heads) ultimately weighed in at a staggering 40 pounds — and won Katie the contest.
 
But after the initial cheers and congratulations, there was the question of what exactly to do with a 40-pound cabbage plant. After all, serving it to Katie’s own family of four — or even her classroom — would result in a waste of perfectly good and wholesome food.
 
That’s when Katie had her light bulb moment.
 
"My dad had always told us not to waste because there are people out there that weren’t fortunate enough to have a hot meal on their table every night," Katie says. "So I thought, why not donate my cabbage to those people."
 
For her mom, Stacy Stagliano, the moment was a proud one. "She grew so attached to that cabbage," Stacy remembers. "As it grew bigger and bigger it was like her little baby almost."
 
To find the perfect home for her cabbage, Stacy searched online for "vegetable donation" and discovered Tri-County Family Ministries in North Charleston, S.C. Katie vividly remembers the day she and her mom went to deliver the massive vegetable. When they pulled up to the kitchen at the shelter, hundreds of people stood in line waiting to get in.
 
"Katie’s jaw just dropped and she was asking a million questions like, ‘Is this really the only meal they get?’" Stacy says. "When we took the cabbage out, all these people came over asking where it came from and if Katie really grew it."
 
After the pair brought the cabbage inside to the kitchen, Sue Hanshaw, the CEO of the shelter, insisted that Katie help cook up her bounty. "She told Katie that it wasn’t enough to just donate it. She had to help cook and serve it," Stacy says.
 
And so Katie did. She stood on a wooden stool for more than two hours as 275 people enjoyed the, uh, vegetable of her labor.
 
And that night, the idea for Katie’s Krops was born. "Katie said to me, "Mommy, if one cabbage could do this, imagine what an entire garden could do," Stacy says.
 
Nurturing Katie’s Krops
 
To help cultivate her vision, Katie convinced her school to donate a plot of land for the garden, which the entire student body helped tend. Now Katie helps manage six gardens in South Carolina. They have delivered more than a ton of produce to shelters, soup kitchens, and families in need. Katie’s Krops also has 11 grant-funded gardens in other states, including New Jersey, Virginia, and Georgia.
 
"Looking back on that now, never ever did I imagine that this is where I would be," Stacy says. "That’s the thing with kids. They see the possibilities, they don’t see the obstacles. If there’s good reason to do it, that’s enough."
 

Watch this video about Katie’s cabbage.

 
 
A Budding Chef
 
Katie not only grows vegetables, she loves to cook them too. "We base my menus for the shelters on what’s growing in the garden," Katie says. For St. Patrick’s Day, she and her family made corned beef and fresh-from-the-garden cabbage. One of her favorite new finds from the garden is the Japanese eggplant, which Katie describes as a "purple banana."
 
"We just bread it and fry it," Katie says. "It’s super simple to make." Find more of Katie’s favorite veggie-packed recipes on KatiesKrops.com.
 
Katie demonstrated her culinary skills in the Everyday Health episode, in which she teamed up with chef and nutritionist Ellie Krieger, RD, to cook a dinner of healthy food for local families in need. Using plenty of the garden’s colorful bounty, Katie, Krieger and team whipped up a pot of ratatouille. "This is one of those recipes that anyone can make and make on a busy weeknight for that matter," Krieger says.
 
Helping Other Kids Get Growing
 
Katie hopes to inspire as many of her peers to play outside in the dirt and grow their own gardens.
For beginners, it’s important to not get too ahead of themselves. "Start small especially if you haven’t gardened before," Katie advises. She recommends beginning with easy-to-grow plants like tomatoes, peppers, and eggplants.
 
"Once you get the hang of it, it’ll be easier," she insists.
 
The bigger goal, however, is to inspire kids to feed families in need in their communities, and Katie created a grant program to help other kids achieve that mission. Winners receive a gift card to a local garden center along with support from Katie’s Krops and a digital camera to follow their progress. Find out more and fill out an application on KatiesKrops.com.
 
To see Katie in action in the garden and the kitchen, tune in to Everyday Health, hosted by Laila Ali, on October 1 or 2 on your local ABC station.
 

Chilled Cucumber Dill Soup


This soup was a huge hit at our last Katie’s Krops dinnner. It was perfect on a hot night.  Everyone was asking for the recipe so here it is courtesy of Mr. Herman McNeill our fantastic head chef & dedicated Katie’s Krops supporter.

4  large cucumbers, peeled, seeded, and diced

1 large onion, peeled and diced

1 tablespoon fresh dill

½ cup red wine vinegar

4 cups chicken broth

4 cups plain lowfat yogurt

Blend all ingredients (in batches if needed), until smooth.
Season with salt and pepper. Serve chilled.

Guest Blog from our Wonderful New Jersey Gardeners!

I first met Katie in St. Louis when Build-A-Bear Workshop named us both 2009 Huggable Heroes.  Katie had received the honor for her success with Katie’s Krops, and I had gotten the award for the nonprofit that I started, called Bowling for Bears, which provides teddy bears to children in need during the holidays.  It was a great experience to meet Katie and to learn about her amazing organization!

 After we met, I continued to grow Bowling for Bears, and started a Do Something Club at my high school to involved students in my school in my organization.  Our Do Something Club has expanded to participate in projects for many different causes.

 The club was so excited about the idea of starting a Katie’s Krops garden as another one of our projects, and we couldn’t wait to get started and help those in need with our garden!  We are so grateful that Katie’s Krops was able to provide us with funding for our garden — Katie’s generous support has helped so much!

 Once we decided to start the garden and got Katie’s support, we secured a plot at our local farmstead’s community garden.  We got seedlings and other gardening materials donated from local gardening stores, and after tilling and preparing the soil, we finally got to plant our eggplant, tomato, and pepper seedlings!  We set up a schedule for club members to water each day, and continued to watch the seedlings grow!  We also set up a collection bin for other gardeners to place excess produce to donate.

 Our club members have really enjoyed growing our vegetable garden so far, and we can’t wait to continue!   We really want to thank Katie for her generous support, and for all of the great advice that she gives us throughout our gardening process.  We appreciate the opportunity to get involved in her organization and help others!  Katie is so inspiring, and I really love working together!

 Below are some thoughts from a few of our club members:

We’re proud of [the garden].  To Katie and Katie’s Krops, thank you very much for your support!  Without it, we wouldn’t have been able to achieve what we have, so once again, thank you very much :-D!  Sincerely, Tiffany

After starting a garden in my own backyard this year, and then hearing about a chance to garden as a group for community service, I immediately joined the Do Something Club.  I began to spend time researching garden tips and taking care of both locations, at my home and at the Barclay Farmstead.  I think that it is great that by growing a garden and having fun while doing it, we can actually be helping people in need of food by donating our produce.  It has been a successful experience so far and I am grateful for it.  Thanks to Katie’s Krops for the inspiration and help we have received!  Thanks, Kaylin

 Thanks for sharing your expertise. I am honored to be a part of your wonderful organization! Despite the challenges of weeds and bugs, so far I’ve had a ton of fun and learned a lot from our gardening experience. It is incredibly exciting and rewarding to spot vegetables growing. Thank you, Katie, for supporting our garden and helping us to have this terrific experience. You are truly amazing! I look forward to keeping in touch as we keep you updated on the challenges and triumphs of our garden!  Thanks, Gigi

 

 

American Profile | S.C. Girl Finds Goodness in Gardening

 by Sandy Summers August 2, 2011

Katie Stagliano, 13, gives new meaning to the word sharecropper.

The founder of Katie’s Krops oversees six gardens that have produced tons of vegetables for soup kitchens and other charitable organizations in and around her hometown of Summerville, S.C. (pop. 43,392).

Read More

Congratulations Sarah on Winning a Katie’s Krops Grant!

Congratulations, Sarah the Katie’s Krops/AllyKatzz Grant Winner!!!

 I am very excited to announce the winner of the Katie’s Krops/AllyKatzz Grant, Sarah, from Virginia!  I loved Sarah’s application! I knew from the minute I read it we were so much alike. Sarah is very passionate and excited about gardening and giving back! In fact, Sarah was so excited that she didn’t wait to see if she was the winner of the grant to start her garden, she began shortly after she applied! Here is what Sarah wrote in her application, I saw Katie on the news and Disney Channel. That inspired me to grow the vegetables I have in pots to something bigger. When Katie said That a kid can do anything they put their minds to that has made me what I am, a runner, a gardener and a helpful person to people. I immediately knew I needed to make Sarah a member of the Katies Krops family.

 It was even more special to find out that Sarah wanted to come and meet ME at the AllyKatzz Year of the Youth Culmination Celebration at the United Nations! Sarah is the first grantee I have ever met in person. It was a very special day for me for many reasons but meeting Sarah made it even more exciting! I was able to award her the grant in person at the French Institute and she had a great time at the celebration as did I! We both walked away so inspired by the people we meet, the speeches we heard and the realization that we can change the world.

 Choosing a grantee is the most difficult part of the process. There are so many amazing girls out there who are passionate about this issue also. I always have trouble narrowing down the grantees as I did this time. I look forward to giving out more grants in the future.

 Thank you to everyone who applied for the Katies Krops/AllyKatzz Grant and a huge thank you to Miss Denise, Miss Carol, Monique and to Disney Friend for Change for allowing me to be part of an amazing event that truly inspired so many!

 

Katie’s Krops Welcomes New Director of Education

Cory Fuller joins Katie’s Krops as the Director of Education after four years of teaching middle school at Pinewood Preparatory School where she was Katie’s sixth grade Science teacher.  Before working with Katie at PPS, Cory graduated with her Master’s degree from the University of Connecticut in 2006.  She taught outdoor education at a Pre-K to 3rd grade elementary school while finishing her degree, and has also taught 4th-7th grade at different schools here in South Carolina.  Her passion is the outdoors and teaching in it.  Cory joins Katie’s Krops with the same dream as Katie to help those in need and to inspire the younger generation to adopt a healthy lifestyle.

 

Katie & Cory Fuller

Embrace the Fall Season

The mission at Katie’s Krops is to feed as many people as necessary, but that mission cannot end when the summer tomatoes stop producing fruits. The families we help still need healthy meals after the summer harvest is over. Many people overlook the possibility of fall gardening but at Katie’s Krops we embrace the fall season!

When planning a fall garden there are several things to remember.

– Broccoli, Cabbage, lettuce, and other leafy greens are staples for every fall garden!
– Plant carrot seeds in mid-summer for a fall crop.
– Determining your growing season is very important.  12-14 weeks before your average first fall frost, start your seeds indoors in seed trays 8-10 weeks before the first frost, transplant your seeds to your garden!
– Just like a summer garden, fall gardens will need lot of sunlight. Because the temperature is cooler, direct sunlight is very important, make sure you choose your garden location carefully!
– To protect young plants, mulch them with hay or straw immediately after planting, and shade them – especially in the afternoon – with a shade cloth. The mulch keeps the soil cool and keeps weeds from taking over your garden.
– Cold weather plants love fertile soil, so work some compost into your soil before you plant your seedlings.
– Water is essential, and these crops like cool, moist soil. One inch of water per week is the suggested amount.

Tom’s of Maine 50 States for Good

Katie’s Krops is thrilled to announce that we are a finalist for a grant from the Tom’s of Maine 50 States for Good! This is a national initiative to support the goodness behind grassroots community projects! Six organizations will share in Tom’s of Maine $150,000 sponsorship fund, including one organization that will be given $50,000.  Katie needs your help! Place your vote at www.50statesforgood.com

Click Here to Vote now and Vote Often!
You can vote once a day until September 13th!
 

A huge thank you to everyone who voted for Katie’s Krops in the Tom’s of Maine 50 States for Good. We did not come in the top 6 but your support of our efforts has been priceless. We may not be receiving a big check but we have made so many new friends, raised awareness of our efforts and learned just how blessed we are to have so many amazing people believe in us. Congratulations to the winners and most importantly ‘Thank you’!

 

My very first watermelon!

Every year we plant watermelon seeds in hopes of getting a big, juicy, delcious melon. Yet every year we still get no watermelons or fist size watermelons that die or crack from the heat. Well this year we got lucky! Out on Mr. Bob’s farm with my two little girl volunteers we planted some watermelon seeds donated to us from Ferry-Mores. Today we went up check the garden and there was a twenty pound watermelon right in front on our eyes. I was absolutely amazed that I grew that! Even though I have grown a freakishly large cabbage before I have never managed to grow a watermelon, but there is a first time for everything! Thank you to my two volunteers Reese and Georgia for their magical touch! I am proud to say that my watermelon,which weighed in at a whooping twenty pounds, was donated to Eagle Harbor Ranch. Eagle Harbor Ranch is a a home for abused, neglected or homeless children. I am very happy to have been able to help them.

Thank you Ferry-Morse for supplying the seeds to help feed people in need!

 

Planting our Ferry-Morse watermelon seeds!

My amazing volunteers Reese & Georgia!

 

 The end product! Beautiful!

Katie’s Krops Garden in the Garden State!

Through Katie’s Krops and my gardening adventures I have met so many amazing people. I especially love meeting other kids who are making a difference in the world. In 2009 I was honored as Build a Bear Huggable Hero along with 14 other amazing individuals. We spend 3 days together bonding and learning about each other efforts.

I was thrill when several weeks ago one of my fellow 2009 Huggable Heroes contacted me about starting a Katie’s Krops garden in New Jersey. Jenny and I have joined forces and last weekend the first official Katie’s Krops garden in the garden state has tilled ground. I want to thank Jenny and all of the New Jersey volunteers for help Katie’s Krops grow and expand. I look forward to sharing photos and stories from the new garden. Thank you Jenny!