Publix volunteers build community garden at Central City Apartments in Macon

More than 30 volunteers plant fruits and vegetables to support residents and promote sustainability

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – More than 30 Publix associates teamed up with non-profit groups Keep Macon-Bibb Beautiful and Moving to Success Tuesday to plant eight garden beds filled with fruits and vegetables at Central City Apartments in Macon.

The effort is part of a larger community initiative focused on giving back and promoting sustainability.

“We are a food retailer and so food and making sure that families are nourished, and well fed, and that communities don’t go hungry is really important to us,” said Nicole Krauss with Publix.

Volunteers worked throughout the day planting blueberries, tomatoes, corn, herbs and mulberry trees in the garden beds.

Karen Middleton with Moving to Success says the garden will do more than just provide fresh food.

“Moving to Success has a memorandum of understanding with the property and owners. Our job is to have activities and maintain this garden for them, and so kind of teaching the residents how to garden,” Middleton said.

Organizers say the garden will also serve as a learning space for residents while helping build a stronger sense of community.

Executive Director of Keep Macon-Bibb Beautiful, Asha Ellen, says projects like this are especially meaningful as the community recognizes Earth Day.

“We only have one planet and so we are doing everything we can within our power to be able to save it,” Ellen said.

Organizers say the garden will continue to grow, providing fresh food and bringing neighbors together long after the planting is done.