Community garden donates more than 1,000 pounds of produce
More than 1,000 pounds of produce from the Ron Ory Community Garden Plots was collected during the end-of-the-season gleaning and donated to Loaves & Fishes Community Services.
Thirty-five volunteers collected any remaining vegetables following the closure of the seasonal garden plots, a Naperville Park District news release said.
Throughout the season, gardeners donated nearly 1,700 pounds of produce to Naperville-based food pantry.
With the additional 1,011 pounds collected during the garden plot’s gleaning day, the community gardens contributed a total of 2,692 pounds of produce to the pantry, the release said. That was 500 pounds more than last year.
Health department offering help with insurance enrollment
The DuPage County Health Department has certified assisters available to help residents enroll in health coverage.
Open enrollment for the 2026 Marketplace health coverage through Get Covered Illinois began the first day of November, a health department news release said.
Residents who do not have insurance through an employer, Medicare, Medicaid, the Children’s Health Insurance Program or another means can enroll in a Marketplace health insurance plan through Jan. 15. Enrollment or renewals must be completed by Dec. 15 for coverage to start on Jan. 1.
Illinois is launching its own state-based health insurance marketplace, which is new for 2026.
Residents can apply for financial help and enroll in 2026 coverage through getcovered.illinois.gov. Assisters can help residents open their new Get Covered Illinois accounts or review the new health insurance options, a health department said.
Residents in need of assistance can call 630-682-7400 for an appointment, which are 90 minutes for new clients and 60 minutes for renewals.
For more information, go to www.dupagehealth.org/healthinsurance.
The annual Pumpkin Smash will not take place this year due to construction at the Ron Ory Community Garden Plots. (Naperville Park District)
Construction cancels district’s annual Pumpkin Smash
The annual Pumpkin Smash will not take place this year due to construction at the Ron Ory Community Garden Plots.
However, it is expected to return in 2026, Naperville Park District officials said.
Pumpkin Smash is typically held the second Saturday after Halloween, offering residents a chance to compost their pumpkins for use in garden plots soil.
In 2024, more than 400 families participated, dropping off 1,348 pumpkins weighing in at 15,350 pounds last year.
A list of alternative places to compost pumpkins can be found at www.scarce.org/pumpkins.
A permeable paver lot is being built at the garden plots, which will filter stormwater and improve water quality and drainage. Construction started in September.
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