Dickinson County Salvation Army Case Manager Jennifer Witte, left, and Director Tara Coss prepare garden-themed drawing baskets for the upcoming Seed to Table fundraiser from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday at the administration building at the Dickinson County Fairgrounds in Norway. (Terri Castelaz/Daily News photo)

NORWAY — A community effort focused on reducing hunger and encouraging self-sufficiency will return this weekend with the second-annual Seed to Table fundraiser.

The Salvation Army Bread of Life Assistance Center of Kingsford, in partnership with the Dickinson County Fair, will host the event from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday at the Administration Building on the fairgrounds on U.S. 8 in Norway.

The initiative is again part of the Farm & Fairs Hunger-Relief Grant program, Dickinson County Salvation Army Director Tara Coss said.

Funded by the Michigan Association of Fairs and Exhibitions and the Michigan Farm Bureau Family of Companies, the grant supports fairs and festivals in addressing food insecurity, providing up to $750 to help increase supplies at local food pantries.

Last year’s strong turnout made it clear the event should become an annual tradition, Salvation Army Case Manager Jennifer Witte said.

“We want to help put gardening supplies into the hands of people that want to grow their own food,” Coss said. “If they can produce fresh fruits and vegetables, it can help reduce grocery costs.”

“It’s also a much healthier option,” Witte added.

Attendees are asked to bring five non-perishable items, in exchange for access to gardening supplies.

Participants will be able to select from a large assortment of fruit, vegetable and flowers seed packets, several sizes of seed starter kits and pots, and a limited supply of soil.

“Each person will also receive a ticket to enter into drawing in exchange for their non-perishable food donation,” Coss said. “We have arranged several garden-theme baskets full of a variety of items.”

New this year, they will have a children’s table, where they can create their own pot and plant a sunflower to take home.

“Jennifer (Witte) came up with this great idea to add something fun for the kids to do while educating them in the process,” Coss said.

All the food — fresh and non-perishable items — that is donated from the one-day event through Nov. 1 will again be tracked, with the results reported on grant application.

“During the last fiscal year, we totaled 926.7 pounds in donations,” Coss said. “In addition to the non-perishable items, that includes fresh produce and eggs.”

The grant funding is just an added bonus, Coss said.

Michigan State University Extension educational horticulture material and other programs will be available.

They encourage anyone who takes part in the Seed to Table Fundraiser enter their homegrown produce as a fair exhibit.

Coss said the event is about more than just providing supplies.

“At its core, it reconnects people to where their food comes from,” she said. “In a world where so much comes prepackaged, teaching families and children how to grow their own food builds knowledge, confidence and independence. It turns something as simple as a seed into a lesson in patience, responsibility and care.”

She added that gardening can also strengthen food security by helping families become less dependent on outside systems and better prepared during difficult times.

Organizers encourage community members to take part, not only to receive supplies but also to learn skills that can benefit their households long-term.

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Terri Castelaz can be reached at 906-774-2772, ext. 85241, or tcastelaz@ironmountaindailynews.com.