Veterans incarcerated in Idaho support local food bank through new vegetable garden

A group of veterans who are incarcerated at the Idaho State Correctional Institution is providing fresh vegetables to local families from a new garden the inmates started this year.  

The Idaho State Correctional Institution Veterans Group partnered with the Kuna Food Bank to distribute the food to families in the community, officials with the Idaho Department of Correction announced Thursday.

Members of the veterans group spent the year learning about crops, planting vegetables and caring for the garden, Case Manager Steve Mitchley said. 

In the first year of the garden’s existence, the veterans group harvested potatoes, onions, bell peppers, squash and beets.

American Legion Post 113, A New Path Idaho and Lowe’s provided about $800 worth of donated materials to support the garden, officials said. 

Correction officials said that while the garden is small, it has grown into something much bigger  by providing a sense of community service and hope.

“This first season has been a valuable learning experience,” Mitchley said in a written statement. “The group hopes to expand the number of garden boxes next year.”