PARIS — The University of Maine Cooperative Extension’s Master Gardener Volunteers Program is asking gardeners to consider growing extra produce to donate to local food pantries this summer.

Many pantries have trouble offering fresh produce to their clients, and this is a great way to share a garden’s bounty, said Barbara Murphy, Extension educator in the Oxford County office and coordinator of the Maine Harvest for Hunger Program, previously known as Plant-A-Row for the Hungry.

The program coordinates volunteers, helps them connect with local food pantries and provides advice about what to grow and when to harvest. In 2010, the program provided more than 200,000 pounds of produce to Maine food pantries. The goal for 2011 is 225,000 pounds.

Murphy suggests gardeners contact their local food pantries in advance to find out what type of produce they need and what they can handle. Carrots, potatoes, onions and winter squash are easy for the pantries to store and handle.

Gardeners may be able to work with others in a community garden to grow produce for a local food pantry and may contact a local pantry about volunteering.

To enroll in the program, visit http://umaine.edu/harvest-for-hunger/ or contact Murphy at 743-6329, 1-800-287-1482  or e-mail [email protected].