SC Johnson Partners with Zoe Outreach Ministries and Racine Urban Garden Network in Support of New Urban Garden in Racine

RACINE, Wis., Sept. 17, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- A 2014 study by the University of Wisconsin Population Health* scored Racine County, Wis., among the state's 10 least-healthy counties. In response, SC Johnson, whose global headquarters is located in Racine, Wis., is partnering with Zoe Outreach Ministries and Racine Urban Garden Network to give residents in one Racine-area neighborhood greater access to healthy, fresh food in the future.

To launch construction of the Zoe Garden For Life, a "Garden Build Event" will take place at the site on 21^st & Racine Streets on Saturday, October 4, 2014, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.  Interested volunteers can contact Ben Lehner at Racine Urban Garden Network, [email protected], to register or obtain additional information.

"Access to healthy and fresh foods is critical to creating great neighborhoods for families. SC Johnson is excited to support the urban garden project as an important ingredient in the area's revitalization efforts," said Kelly M. Semrau, Senior Vice President, Global Corporate Affairs, Communication and Sustainability. "The Zoe Garden For Life can serve as a new 'retail' anchor along Racine Street, creating a vibrant place for families to come together to grow fresh foods and further create ownership in their neighborhood."

The neighborhood in which the new urban garden is located has been labeled a "food desert" – a term used by the U.S. Department of Agriculture to designate areas that do not have ready access to nutritious foods. The urban garden project will provide area residents with the space to grow their own foods and the education they need to eat healthier.

"This initiative allows us to serve families in our community, bring people together and hopefully inspire them to learn healthy habits so they can 'pass it on' to others," said Pastor Melvin Hargrove, Zoe Outreach Ministries. "We are thrilled to have the support of SC Johnson and the Racine Urban Garden Network in this endeavor."

The Zoe Garden For Life will be constructed on two vacant lots owned by Zoe Outreach Ministries (southeast corner of 21^st & Racine Streets). The garden, which will contain 33 individual planting plots, will be managed by Zoe Outreach Ministries and Racine Urban Garden Network. Garden equipment will be housed on-site, and compost and water will also be available to participants.

Zoe Outreach Ministries will provide planting and nutrition educational opportunities as part of the project. The first planting is planned for spring 2015.

*http://www.countyhealthrankings.org/app/#!/wisconsin/2014/overview

About SC Johnson
SC Johnson is a family company dedicated to innovative, high-quality products, excellence in the workplace and a long-term commitment to the environment and the communities in which it operates. Based in the USA, the company is one of the world's leading manufacturers of household cleaning products and products for home storage, air care, pest control and shoe care. It markets such well-known brands as GLADE®, KIWI®, OFF!®, PLEDGE®, RAID®, SCRUBBING BUBBLES®, SHOUT®, WINDEX® and ZIPLOC® in the U.S. and beyond, with brands marketed outside the U.S. including AUTAN®, TANA®, BAMA®, BAYGON®, BRISE®, KABIKILLER®, KLEAR®, MR MUSCLE®, and RIDSECT®. The 128-year-old company, that generates $9 billion in sales, employs nearly 13,000 people globally and sells products in virtually every country around the world.

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SOURCE SC Johnson