(Radio Iowa) – If you are looking for a way to help others in the New Year it can be as simple as adding a little extra to your garden. Iowa State University’s Katie Sorrell oversees a program that helps raise vegetables for food banks, and says you can do your part as well. “Find your local food pantry and ask them what produce items their clients like. So depending on who is coming to the food pantry, they might have specific needs maybe their clients really like hot peppers, or maybe their clients love beets. Or maybe their clients love onions,” Sorrell says.

The “Growing Together Iowa” program she coordinates grows thousands of pounds of fresh vegetables, but . Sorrell says your contribution of a few pounds would help. “You could grow an extra row or plant a row specifically for your local food pantry. And also, if you have a home garden, I would just encourage you when your garden comes in strong right, when your zucchini just keep coming and coming, reach out to your local food pantry and donate it because it will be used there,” she says.

Sorrell says fresh vegetables are one of the most requested items at food pantries. She says donated produce frees up money for food bank clients to use on other things.