POTTSTOWN PA – A community garden that looks to increase access to fresh produce for those in need, as well as to promote food-growing skills, will be ready to resume operation next year in the borough. Its work will start much sooner, though, with a public introduction scheduled for Oct. 26 (2025; Sunday).
The Grateful Harvest Community Garden, located at 750 N. Evans St., represents a partnership between Pottstown First Presbyterian Church and the Phoenixville-based non-profit Trellis for Tomorrow. The garden will offer secure rentable growing beds, and education to beginning gardeners.
Additionally, a corps of volunteers also will grow and harvest crops for distribution to local food programs.
Trellis for Tomorrow, founded in 2003, says it “supports youth and communities through experiential programs in sustainable agriculture, environmental stewardship, and food justice.” Its collaborative project with the 177-year-old church and its civically active congregation is being supported by American Rescue Plan Act funding.
Designed with sustainability and accessibility in mind, the garden features 15 rentable beds. Several beds are designed for accessible use, with drip irrigation and deer fencing. Other areas will be dedicated to growing nutrient-dense food for donation.
An Early Chance to Participate
The public is invited to join First Presbyterian and Trellis for Tomorrow on Oct. 26 (Sunday) at noon for “a garden celebration.” In addition to garden tours, refreshments, and local speakers, local residents can learn more about renting a bed, and volunteering for the 2026 season.
An Active Extension of Faith
A portion of church property will be used for the beds, which is considered “an extension of our faith in action,” Susan Moyer explains. As Mission Committee Chair at First Presbyterian, Moyer says the project “reflects our values of service, stewardship, and neighborliness. We’re proud to see this dream growing into reality.”
Trellis’ Food for All program will support the rental operation. It also will provide seedlings, tools, and educational support for volunteers and community members. The garden is envisioned as a space for skill-building, a “hub” for community engagement, and an opportunity to create deeper ties with local food systems.
Trellis events and activities can be found in recent years across many portions of the TriCounty (Montgomery, Berks, and Chester counties PA) Region. Its online data shows the agency helped manage 32 partner gardens and 578 garden beds that, during 2024, yielded 42,000 pounds of produce for 168,000 meal servings.
“Working toward a system of food security and sustainability means we go beyond simply feeding people. It requires respect, collaboration, and the cultivation of collective resilience,” adds Jennifer Anderson, executive director of Trellis for Tomorrow.
Its partnership with the church “represents a shared vision to empower people by growing food, all together in community,” she says.
Photos and graphic provided to Travels With The Post by Trellis for Tomorrow
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