About

Where Our Produce Goes: Our Partners in Distributing Food

Food is not distributed directly from the garden. If you are in need of fresh, nutritious produce, please reach out to one of the below organizations for information of how to get some:

Planting the Seeds: How It Started

Roy and Bettye Lofton, members of Holy Spirit Parish, had the idea for a community garden on a plot of land owned by the Church, located at Catholic Social Services of West Alabama. The Loftons shared their idea with others, including Deacon Fran Viselli, and together a small group started planning, supported by Fr. Deasy. The James Schaetzle family volunteered to plow the land to ready it for planting.

The name Jeremiah was chosen for the garden to honor beloved Pastor, Fr. Jeremiah (Jerry) Deasy, who has taught us all by word and deed to live out the teachings of the New Covenant, to make fruitful the earth given to us by God, and to feed the hungry as commanded of Christians in Matthew 25.

The goals for the garden are to produce healthy fresh fruits and vegetables, and support the charitable work of feeding the hungry, thereby demonstrating the Church’s commitment to the common good. The garden also serves as an educational/work site for students, and involves volunteers from the community at large.

How It's Growing

Jeremiah's Community Garden grows a wide variety of crops each year, including kale, turnip greens, collards, broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, squash and pumpkins in the fall, and squash, eggplant, okra, tomatoes, peppers, green beans, peas, corn, basil, and watermelons in the summer. 

The orchard continues to expand from the original four pecan trees to include pomegranates, blueberries, grape vines, muscadines, apples, pears, figs, and blackberries. Bee hives have also joined in to produce wonderful local honey while pollinating our plants.

The garden produces hundreds of pounds of produce each month, which is delivered to local charitable organizations who distribute to  community members in need.

Non-discrimination Statement

Since its founding in 2016, Jeremiah’s Community Garden has committed itself to serving the people of Tuscaloosa, Alabama with a particular emphasis on increasing access to fresh, locally grown produce for community members struggling with food insecurity. In all programs and activities, Jeremiah’s Community Garden aims to grow good food, feed those in need, and educate community members about farming and the natural world. 

Jeremiah’s Community Garden does not and shall not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion (creed), gender, gender expression, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, political affiliation, or military status, in any of its activities or operations. These activities include, but are not limited to, the appointment to and termination from its Board of Directors, hiring and firing of staff or contractors, selection of volunteers, selection of vendors, and providing of services.

Jeremiah’s Community Garden is an equal opportunity employer. We shall not discriminate and will not discriminate in employment, recruitment, Board membership, advertisements for employment, compensation, termination, upgrading, promotions, and other conditions of employment against any employee or job applicant on the basis of race, color, religion (creed), gender, gender expression, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status, or for any other discriminatory reason.

Furthermore, Jeremiah’s Community Garden commits itself to continuous improvement of programming, activities, and facilities to ensure that the garden is a space that welcomes all. 

If you have a question or concern regarding accessibility, accommodations, or this non-discrimination policy, please reach out to volunteer@jeremiahscommunitygarden.com and we will follow up with you. 

Approved by the Jeremiah’s Community Garden Board, 2026