COAL TOWNSHIP - The Northumberland County Nutrition Greenhouse will bear great fruits - and vegetables, and flowers, and herbs and spices - for students and seniors of the area.
"It's about common ground. No matter what side of the issue you're on, we can come to the table to eat. Dining is a common experience, and it brings people together," Secretary of Aging Brian Duke said Wednesday morning at the ribbon-cutting ceremony and open house for the new greenhouse at the Northumberland County Career and Technology Center.
He was joined by several other state, county and local officials in welcoming the new addition to the center, which will provide fresh produce for senior action centers in Herndon, Coal Township and Mount Carmel.
It was designed to help senior centers develop innovative nutrition programs that will help attract a new generation of older Pennsylvanians. While the seniors will grow and nurture the food, the culinary students at the school will utilize the food and prepare dishes for the three action centers. Those particular centers were chosen because the majority of students attending the school come from Line Mountain, Mount Carmel Area and Shamokin Area school districts.
The 2,160-square-foot greenhouse and class features radiant flooring, geothermal and solar capabilities, computerized venting and shading system and a 500-gallon water reclamation tank.
Following a tour of the facilities, Duke noted how "amazing" it was.
"It's an example of what a community can achieve when they come together to improve health and wellness," he said.
Joining two generations
Many of the speakers during the ceremony reiterate the cooperation between two generations - the youth and the seniors.
Northumberland County Commissioner Frank Sawicki said it's not only food for the older generation, but a learning tool for students.
"It's a double dip, and I love it," he said.
"Our youth and elderly can work together and learn from each other. It will unify the community," Commissioner Merle Phillips said.
State Rep. Lynda Schlegel Culver (R-108) said it was a "great marriage" between the vibrant youth and the seniors with "real world knowledge, experience and wisdom."
James F. Monaghan, center administrator, said the greenhouse best shows what the school stands for.
"Our focus is to promote lifelong learning and this exemplifies that," he said.
"It's much more than a greenhouse. It's a community vision and endless possibilities," Northumberland County Area Agency on Aging (AAA) Pat Rumberger said.
She added, "I hope you grow with the greenhouse as much as we have."
Partly funded by ARRA grant
Northumberland County Area Agency on Aging (AAA) was awarded a $163,000 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act grant for the construction of the structure. AAA had to put more than $200,000 into the construction as well.
The project was among 160 grant applications and 47 granted, totaling $3.7 million in 42 counties selected through a competitive grant application process.
Additionally, the county installed more of a food court setting and use a grab-and-go breakfast method. The centers were also be renovated to include modern decorations, soft couches, area rugs and new lighting.
AAA Deputy Administrator Pat Rosini, Commissioner Vinny Clausi, Deputy Secretary for Consumer Protection and Regulatory Affairs/Agriculture Jay Howes, state Sen. John Gordner's representative Martha Milbrand (R-27), state Rep. Kurt Masser (R-107) and greenhouse manager George D. Stahl also spoke during the ceremony.
Rumberger noted that her staff, county and local officials, Stahl, culinary arts instructor Jim Schiavoni, architect Gary Wolfe and Ginny McNeil were instrumental in the process of implementing the program.