Nearly 170 volunteers plus 500 hours of volunteer time — as well as a little help from the skies — equaled more than 700 pounds of fruit and vegetables produced by the Suffolk Partnership for a Healthy Community’s community garden program this year.

The bountiful harvest was the result not only of all of the volunteer hours and the favorable weather, but also of additional gardens being added to the program this year.

“I am extremely grateful to all our community garden coordinators and volunteers for providing such a needed service to so many people in Suffolk,” Suffolk Partnership Executive Director Robbie Laughton said. “Not only are they filling a food void for senior citizens and hungry families, but they are doing it lovingly in a healthy and active way.”

The community gardens are located at churches, community centers and apartment complexes throughout the city. This year, the eighth garden was established at YMCA’s Camp Arrowhead, and eight schools in the Suffolk Public Schools system established learning gardens to help children learn about plant biology and healthy eating, among other things.

The most productive garden this year was the Holland Community Garden at Holland Baptist Church. Volunteers harvested 312 pounds of tomatoes, squash, cucumbers and several varieties of peppers.

“We’ve had a bumper crop this year,” said Carol Warren, the Holland garden coordinator. “This year we have had people within the church help disperse it out to community members. It’s just a connection with people and neighbors connecting with neighbors.”

Produce from the Holland garden went to Franklin Cooperative Ministry, needy families and widows. About 88 pounds were given out at National Night Out, where visitors had the opportunity to choose their own produce.

The Holland garden isn’t done yet, Warren said. Volunteers are preparing to plant fall crops, including broccoli, turnips, lettuce and collards.

“There are more people that are in need around the community,” she said.

Community gardens coordinator Kay Cherry said the school gardens have been a good addition to the program.

“Our partnership with Suffolk Public Schools has been beneficial, and the school administration has really supported their teachers in this effort,” Cherry said. “These are (the teachers’) gardens. They do the active planning and the planting and working with the students.”

The program emphasizes educating everyone about gardening and healthy eating, not just schoolchildren but all participants.

“We have great support for our gardens because people see the value in both the educational and practical aspects of gardening,” Laughton said. “Not only are we teaching people how to grow their own produce, but we are giving healthier options through fresh vegetables and fruits to incorporate in family meals.”

Other top-performing gardens this year included Whaleyville Community Center, which produced 159 pounds given to needy families, Franklin Cooperative Ministry, and volunteers; East Suffolk Recreation Center, which harvested 149 pounds given to members of the senior citizen program; Liberty Spring Christian Church, which harvested 42 pounds given to senior citizens and needy families; and Sentara Obici Hospital, given to needy patients, daycare children and their families, and volunteers.

Funding for the gardens comes from a variety of sources including grants from the Obici Healthcare Foundation, Virginia Foundation for Healthy Youth, Suffolk Clean Community Commission, Community Action Coalition of Virginia, and contributions from local businesses, civic clubs and individuals.