Sheriff's Office tells WGNS that their freshly grown produce helps to supplement inmate meals

Nov 06, 2014 at 05:00 pm by bryan


Inmate workers cultivated 3,720.7 pounds of produce this summer from the Garden of Hope at the Rutherford County Adult Detention Center, said Sheriff Robert Arnold.

The Food Service staff used the produce to supplement meals for the 800-plus inmates. The staff froze some of the produce for use this winter.

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"Inmates learn life skills on how to feed themselves and their families by growing vegetables and fruits," said Sheriff Arnold. "After their release, many of the inmates told us they used these skills in their own gardens."

Dr. Nate Phillips and his students from MTSU's Agri-Business Department joined the inmates weekly to give ideas on growing, preventing pests and irrigating the crops.

"We appreciate Dr. Phillips and his students partnering with us to produce a more bountiful garden," Sheriff Arnold said.

Recycling cans, cardboard, plastic, cooking oil and wooden pallets pays for the seeds and supplies needed for the garden.

The crops yielded:

  • Yellow Squash- 728 pounds
  • Corn on the cob- 502.1 pounds
  • Bell Peppers- 396.4 pounds
  • Cucumbers- 191.9 pounds
  • Tomatoes- 874.9 pounds
  • Watermelon- 850.7 pounds
  • Green Beans- 14.5 pounds
  • Carrots- 1 pound
  • Okra- 188.2 pounds.

Food Service Sgt. Nancy Loyd said Deputy Jason Fuqua, who supervises the garden inmates, will plan crops next year that will be better geared toward the inmates' dietary needs.

The Food Service was able to use 98 percent of the crops grown.

Source:

Lisa Marchesoni, Public information officer
Rutherford County Sheriff's Office

Note:

The Tennessee Correction Institute does not require USDA inspection. A dietitian approves the menu.

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