On a warm fall morning, peppers still cling to summer heat while rows of leafy greens begin to take root. Across the Central Texas Food Bank’s two gardens — together spanning about an acre — the seasons overlap, and the work never slows.
This is where Garden Coordinator Ollie Messina spends most days — planning beds, training volunteers, and harvesting fresh produce that nourishes thousands of Central Texans.
From AmeriCorps to Garden Coordinator
Messina’s journey with the Central Texas Food Bank (CTFB) began through an AmeriCorps Volunteers in Service to America internship, focused on building capacity for the garden program and strengthening outreach to neighbors.
After a short role supporting mobile pantries, a spot opened in the garden team. Messina stepped into the role more than three years ago and has been tending both crops and community ever since.
“Farming just clicked for me,” Messina said. “I knew I wanted to chase this work and connect food access with community.”
What It Means to Grow Food at CTFB
Together with Garden Manager Hannah Beall, Messina helps run CTFB’s two gardens. Their focus is clear: grow as much fresh produce as possible and give volunteers meaningful, hands-on work.
“A lot of people think it’s a few raised beds,” Messina explained. “But it’s more like an urban farm. People are surprised at the amount of work, but they love it. Some even call it their CrossFit workout.”
The garden yields about 2,000 pounds of produce each month, much of it harvested by volunteers.
Volunteers at the Heart
For Messina, volunteers aren’t just extra hands — they are essential to the mission. At CTFB, volunteers seed, weed, turn compost, and harvest produce that often makes its way directly to the Fresh Harvest Market, the organization’s on-site pantry.
“They get that full-circle moment,” Messina said. “They’ll pick it, wash it, and then walk it to the pantry shelves. Seeing the end result is powerful.”
Messina recalled one volunteer who started with no experience and later landed a farm job after discovering a passion for agriculture at CTFB. Others show up week after week, forming bonds that make the hard work feel lighter.
“It’s such a good feeling,” Messina said. “It can be hot, the tasks are tough, but they’re passionate and engaged. That energy lifts the whole place.”
From Seed to Plate in Minutes
The gardens’ harvest supports multiple CTFB programs, including the Fresh Harvest Market, Culinary Training Program, Nutrition Education, and Mobile FARMacy.
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Fresh Harvest Market – neighbors take home produce minutes after harvest.
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Culinary Training Program – students cook with garden-grown ingredients.
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Nutrition Education – the team features garden crops in monthly recipes and tastings.
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Mobile FARMacy – delivers fresh produce into communities across Central Texas.
“What I love most is that neighbors can get produce within minutes of harvest,” Messina said. “It’s food at its best — nutritious, fresh, and grown organically.”
Building Culture Beyond the Garden
Messina also serves on CTFB’s Activities Committee, which organizes events that strengthen team culture.
“Our staff does a lot of emotional labor,” Messina said. “Having spaces to connect makes us better collaborators. When you know colleagues beyond email, the work flows differently.”
Looking Ahead
Messina and the garden team recently broke their record for pounds harvested. At CTFB’s two gardens, they’re experimenting with permaculture techniques and building a berm to support more herbs and medicinal plants for Mobile FARMacy.
Still, the heart of the work remains connection.
“The food bank is the largest hunger-relief organization in our region,” Messina said. “Everyone needs food. The garden lets people be part of that — planting, harvesting, and sharing with neighbors. It’s a simple mission, but it changes lives.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I volunteer in Austin to support food access?
You can sign up for shifts in the Central Texas Food Bank garden, kitchen, warehouse, and more at centraltexasfoodbank.org/volunteer.
What does the CTFB garden grow?
Seasonal crops include leafy greens, root vegetables, peppers, herbs, flowers, and heat-tolerant plants like roselle.
How much food does the garden produce?
On average, about 2,000 pounds each month — most of it distributed directly through food bank programs.
Get Involved
Want to get your hands in the soil and make a difference? Sign up to volunteer at the Central Texas Food Bank gardens and see how you can help grow food, community, and hope right here in Central Texas.
