COAL TOWNSHIP - The grand opening of the Intergenerational Nutrition Greenhouse, which is sponsored by the Northumberland County Area Agency on Aging and located at the Northumberland County Career and Technology Center in Coal Township, will be held Wednesday, Sept. 21.
A ribbon-cutting ceremony will be held at 11 a.m. and an open house will conducted from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the center at 1700 W. Montgomery St.
Informational tours, displays and refreshments will be available throughout the day. Penn State master gardeners and other experts may demonstrate in the newly-built classroom near the greenhouse.
Gov. Tom Corbett has been invited to attend the festivities. Pennsylvania Secretary of Aging Brian Duke is scheduled to attend along with several state representatives, including Lynda Schlegel-Culver (R-108) and Kurt Masser (R-107), and various county and local officials.
Pat Rumberger, administrator of the Northumberland County Area Agency on Aging, said, "We hope to make this day a memorable one, and excite our communities about good nutritional health and sustainability."
The project has already produced abundant produce and herbs that are being shared with members of the county's 11 senior action centers. Some centers have used the produce in salads and meals that were prepared at the centers. Members have made delicious homemade pickles to share, while others have taken the containers home to nurture and use to enhance their diets.
The primary centers involved are located in Shamokin, Kulpmont, Mount Carmel and Herndon.
The agency has hired George Stahl of Stahl's Produce Stand along Route 61 in Paxinos, as greenhouse manager. Stahl will be working with culinary arts teacher Jim Schiavoni.
Future goals of the greenhouse include utilizing senior volunteers to assist at the greenhouse, partnering with the culinary arts students at the center to share ethnic recipes and cooking techniques, and preparing after-hour dinners for members.
Area Agency on Aging officials said culinary arts students are very excited about having fresh produce literally at their doorstep.