Garden & Cooking Clubs

Our Garden Variety and Cooking Clubs bring groups of like-minded people together to learn about and experience the benefits of growing and cooking with herbs, vegetables, and other ingredients. Facilitated by knowledgeable (and vaccinated) experts, we hold the meetings where it's convenient for you. 

Services include:

• Series of 12 monthly workshops centered around gardening and garden-related activities, cooking, and food preparation and preserving.
• Monthly care of your existing vegetable and herb gardens (if applicable).
• All workshops are interactive and participants always leave with something.
• Club members have a say in future programming.

There is a strong – and increasing – body of research to support the idea that gardening and connecting with nature are beneficial to people as they age.  Research also shows that people who engage in meaningful activities with others tend to live longer, improve their mood, and have an increased sense of purpose and well-being. 

This is where Therapy Gardens plays an important role.  

• Our programs offer a sense of community and combat social isolation.
• Gardening has proven benefits, including helping reduce blood pressure and increase physical dexterity. 
• Gardening and socialization both relieve stress, increase positive mood, and decrease instances of mood disturbance.
• Cooking at home saves money, improves mental health, and increases nutrition.

In addition to benefitting seniors, our Garden Variety and Cooking Clubs help programming and activities coordinators in numerous ways.

• Guaranteed monthly programming which helps with scheduling and advertising.
• Priority scheduling so you can save the dates that work for you.
• Set budget in advance so you know how much you are spending.
• Care and use of your existing gardens to maximize their impact.
• Connections with other Garden Variety Clubs to share ideas.
• Unlimited participants so the club benefits all senior center members.
• Low or no materials fees for seniors.
• Early access to new workshops.
• Access to marketing materials and articles to engage seniors.