EP!C Harvest provides opportunities for over eighty adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities to be involved in EP!C’s greenhouse, garden, and CSA Program. Individuals who work with EP!C Harvest learn about plant care, soil preparation, planting, garden upkeep and maintenance, harvesting, and preparing for winter. In addition to regular gardening activities, they have the opportunity to help create functional and decorative wooden pieces, learn about natural plant and animal life cycles, and sell flowers and produce at EP!C’s Pop-up Markets. The EP!C Harvest program empowers individuals with vocational, life, and social skills; enhanced self-sufficiency and independence; improved self-esteem; and a sense of pride and accomplishment in providing fresh, local produce to their community.
The vegetables, flowers, and plants produced by EP!C Harvest are sold to local restaurants, Pop-up market customers, community businesses, and organizations. One of Harvest’s biggest customers is Table 19 at the Pere Marquette, where Chef Jonathan Serivner features EP!C Harvest produce in his fresh, farm-to-table dishes. EP!C also currently partners with other local businesses such as HOI Chefs Association, Illinois Central College Culinary Arts Program and Mt. Hawley Country Club with Chef Rick Bower. Proceeds from EP!C Harvest sustainability support EP!C programs and help reduce EP!C’s dependence on State funding.
EP!C Harvest produces a wide variety of fresh produce that comes into season at different times. To see what EP!C Harvest is growing and when your favorites will be freshest follow our Facebook page or sign up for our newsletter to see when they typically become available.
For more information about the Harvest Garden program and our seasonal offerings, please contact Trent Hostettler, Harvest Manager, at (309) 264-3319 or thostettler@epicci.org.
EP!C cultivates a wide variety of vegetables for their CSA. The vegetables available vary throughout the year, but are always fresh and locally grown.
In addition to fresh produce, EP!C Harvest also cultivates seasonal flowers. The flowers offered vary by the season.
You can order our Pop-up market for your next event! We will bring fresh produce and artwork from EP!CASSO. We will also bring Seasonal Flowers if requested.
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