Student wishing to build an edible garden near the chapel to address food insecurity on campus

By: Jason Kusi

Photos: Jason Kusi and Unsplash

A Marymount student wants to add an edible garden to the grotto near the chapel to address food insecurity on campus. 

Photo by Jason Kusi

Morgaine Mertz-Myers is a communication major who said the garden would beautify the statue of Mary located between Rowley Hall and the chapel. The statue of the Virgin Mary was built around 1925, erected by the sisters of The Sacred Heart of Mary. 

Food insecurity is a “normal problem that anyone can have,” Mertz-Myers said. “People just need a little bit of help.” An edible garden is a small area on campus where people can plant food and practice gardening. Mertz-Myers said the garden would provide comfort to the students who suffer from food insecurity and she is asking the university for permission to add the plants to the grotto. 

Richard McNab, Senior Director of Student Engagement, said the idea hasn’t been brought up to him or the university president’s cabinet. 

Susan Agolini, Assistant Professor of Biology, said there is already a garden near the grotto and that there are already various services on campus to help those with food insecurity. She also said there needs to be a sun study so they know what kind of plants can be grown near the grotto.

Photo by Jason Kusi

The Biology Club tends the Food for Thought Garden which yields free vegetables. The Appoloni’s Cabinet project, the blue cabinets in campus buildings, offer free canned fruits and non-perishables.

Dr. Laura Finkelstein, Associate Vice President of Student Health and Wellbeing, said Marymount also has “Saint Swipe” program, a free service for those who can’t afford meals on campus.

Mertz-Myers said gardening helped sustain her when she went through a medical problem. She is developing recipes based on the food available in the Food for Thought Garden and via Appoloni’s Cabinets, which she will share via social media. 

“Food insecurity is a shadow issue; there are more than two people on campus who suffer from it, and there is no shame in food insecurity, and there is no stigma to be had,” Mertz-Myers said. 

For those suffering from food insecurity, students can contact Student Counseling Services in Berg 1014.