Tuesday, November 10, 2026
We have effectively reached the end of our growing season for 2026, and I’m constantly amazed at just how much food we produce every year.
This year's total: 4,900 pounds. And we still have carrots in the ground and kale that we'll continue to harvest until we get a hard freeze.
All of this was grown in a network of donated backyards throughout Dubuque's North End. I think that's quite remarkable – and frankly, a model that could be duplicated in other cities. People love that we put gardens in their yards (and, of course, tend them well throughout the season).
I think this is something that has really surprised visitors to Convivium. It wasn't hard to find our growing space. In fact, it's been harder to say "no" to the many offers we've received to grow food in people's yards!
We eat this food. We serve it in our restaurant. We use it in our Free Casseroles. We transform it into lightly processed, value-added products like pickles, jams, jellies, pestos and, of course, our famous Bloody Mary mix.
Growing food is one of the three areas of the food cycle that we focus on here at Convivium (the other two being preparing and enjoying food). We teach people how to grow through our classes, show them through demonstrations and tours, and give them opportunities to experience the process through volunteer activities.
It's this three-pronged approach that makes what we do so unique. We prioritize CONNECTION to food. Not simply to the farmers producing it, but to the entire process.
And that takes time, effort and financial investment in the staff and resources needed to make it happen.
It's important. Knowing how to feed yourself well should be right up there on the list of essential life skills, alongside knowing how to change a tire and balance a checkbook!
In addition to all of this, a good portion of the food we grow helps feed people in need through our Free Community Casserole Program. Each week, we make, bake and give away 250 free casseroles to our neighbors. There are no income requirements or other hoops to jump through. If you feel you need a casserole, please come and get one.
Programs like this are even more important given the changing landscape of food assistance. Recent federal legislation has reduced SNAP benefits and tightened eligibility and work requirements, leaving millions of Americans with less access to food assistance. The resulting cuts to food support programs will have consequences for families and communities for years to come.
We can't solve all of those problems here at Convivium. But we can do something. We can grow good food. We can teach people how to grow it themselves. We can put that food to good use in our kitchen, and we can make sure that some of it finds its way into the hands of people who need it.
And that's really the point.
Growing food isn't just about the harvest. It's about everything that happens because of it. That's what we mean when we talk about improving life through food.
Help Us Keep Growing
All of this takes people, time and resources. Gardens don't plant themselves and growing, teaching, harvesting, cooking and sharing food requires a whole lot of hands and a whole lot of support.
That's why we recently launched Friends of Convivium – a way for people who believe in what we're doing to help make it possible.
By becoming a Friend, you're helping us do more than grow vegetables. You're supporting classes that teach people new skills, demonstrations that make the food cycle visible, volunteer experiences that bring people together, and programs like our Free Community Casserole Program that put good food on the table for our neighbors.
In short, you're helping us continue to improve life through food.
We'd love to have you as a Friend.
Join Friends of Convivium Here
Yours convivially,
