PCF gardens produce vegetables for local food pantries

Courtesy photo Cucumbers and zucchini harvested at the Putnamville Correctional Facility are displayed by Officer Steven Elzy as the produce is donated the Putnam County Emergency Food Pantry and other similar sites.

PUTNAMVILLE -- Many economically challenged residents in Putnam County and surrounding areas will be eating healthier thanks to produce donated by the Putnamville Correctional Facility (PCF).

Under the direction of Correctional Officer Steven Elzy, several Putnamville offenders invested hundreds of manhours performing spring planting and fall harvesting and were recently rewarded with a bountiful harvest of more than 16,000 pounds -- 16,760 to be exact.

The PCF harvest included tomatoes, peppers, squash, zucchini, cucumbers, cantaloupe and green beans.

Those and other items will be boxed and loaded onto trucks bound for the Putnam County and Clay County emergency food pantries, Elzy said.

“Donations of fresh produce is very important us,” John Jackman, president of the board of directors that oversees the Putnam County Emergency Food Pantry, said. “Our goal is to increase the amount of available fresh produce because of the health benefits, and this donation has made it possible.”