Soil, sun and water lead to vegetables, herbs and flowers. But it’s partnership that sustains the Central Library Community Garden.

The Library has been named 2012 Community Partner of the Year by Arlington Food Assistance Center, which serves some 1,600 families in need. AFAC distributes the food grown at Central and helps maintain the plot with volunteers from other groups including the USDA People’s Garden initiative, the Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority and Girl Scout Troop 1431.

The Central garden was created during Arlington Reads 2010, which focused on locally grown food and sustainability.

The AFAC award includes the  donation of  “A Mangia,” a Southern Italian cookbook, and the “Random House Book of Vegetables.” Look for them soon in the Library collection.

Learn more about gardening resources at the Library, including free weekly talks and demonstrations.