Easton residents came together at the 10th and Pine street community garden to race zucchini cars and enjoy fresh produce as part of the 20th annual Zucchini 500. Held by the West Ward Market and West Ward Community Initiative, events such as the Zucchini 500 are meant to foster new community connections while highlighting issues such as food insecurity and a lack of access to affordable and local produce.

Produce from Easton Garden Works is laid out on tables for sale during the 20th Annual Zucchini 500 on Thursday, July 23, 2026 at the 10th & Pine street community garden in Easton. According to West Ward Community Initiative manager Jacob Behler, events like the 'Zuke 500' are meant to help foster new community connections and help people have affordable and local access to healthy produce. (Jon Chiu/The Morning Call)Produce from Easton Garden Works is laid out on tables for sale during the 20th Annual Zucchini 500 on Thursday, July 23, 2026 at the 10th & Pine street community garden in Easton. According to West Ward Community Initiative manager Jacob Behler, events like the ‘Zuke 500’ are meant to help foster new community connections and help people have affordable and local access to healthy produce. (Jon Chiu/The Morning Call)
Ellie Nees, 10, and Henry Nees 8, of Easton walk with zucchinis they will make into cars during the 20th Annual Zucchini 500 on Thursday, July 23, 2026 at the 10th & Pine street community garden in Easton. According to West Ward Community Initiative manager Jacob Behler, events like the 'Zuke 500' are meant to help foster new community connections and help people have affordable and local access to healthy produce. (Jon Chiu/The Morning Call)Ellie Nees, 10, and Henry Nees 8, of Easton walk with zucchinis they will make into cars during the 20th Annual Zucchini 500 on Thursday, July 23, 2026 at the 10th & Pine street community garden in Easton. According to West Ward Community Initiative manager Jacob Behler, events like the ‘Zuke 500’ are meant to help foster new community connections and help people have affordable and local access to healthy produce. (Jon Chiu/The Morning Call)

Anikka Schwartz, 10, of Easton inspects a zucchini during the 20th Annual Zucchini 500 on Thursday, July 23, 2026 at the 10th & Pine street community garden in Easton. According to West Ward Community Initiative manager Jacob Behler, events like the "Zuke 500" are meant to help foster new community connections and help people have affordable and local access to healthy produce. (Jon Chiu/The Morning Call)Anikka Schwartz, 10, of Easton inspects a zucchini during the 20th Annual Zucchini 500 on Thursday, July 23, 2026 at the 10th & Pine street community garden in Easton. According to West Ward Community Initiative manager Jacob Behler, events like the “Zuke 500” are meant to help foster new community connections and help people have affordable and local access to healthy produce. (Jon Chiu/The Morning Call)
Ellie, 10, and Henry Nees, 8, of Easton work on their zucchini cars during the 20th Annual Zucchini 500 Thursday, July 23, 2026 at the 10th & Pine street community garden in Easton. According to West Ward Community Initiative manager Jacob Behler, events like the 'Zuke 500' are meant to help foster new community connections and help people have affordable and local access to healthy produce. (Jon Chiu/The Morning Call)Ellie, 10, and Henry Nees, 8, of Easton work on their zucchini cars during the 20th Annual Zucchini 500 Thursday, July 23, 2026 at the 10th & Pine street community garden in Easton. According to West Ward Community Initiative manager Jacob Behler, events like the ‘Zuke 500’ are meant to help foster new community connections and help people have affordable and local access to healthy produce. (Jon Chiu/The Morning Call)
Francis Houayek, 2, of Easton plays with his zucchini car during the 20th Annual Zucchini 500 on Thursday, July 23, 2026 at the 10th & Pine street community garden in Easton. According to West Ward Community Initiative manager Jacob Behler, events like the 'Zuke 500' are meant to help foster new community connections and help people have affordable and local access to healthy produce. (Jon Chiu/The Morning Call)Francis Houayek, 2, of Easton plays with his zucchini car during the 20th Annual Zucchini 500 on Thursday, July 23, 2026 at the 10th & Pine street community garden in Easton. According to West Ward Community Initiative manager Jacob Behler, events like the ‘Zuke 500’ are meant to help foster new community connections and help people have affordable and local access to healthy produce. (Jon Chiu/The Morning Call)

Zucchini cars race down the track during the 20th Annual Zucchini 500 on Thursday, July 23, 2026 at the 10th & Pine street community garden in Easton. According to West Ward Community Initiative manager Jacob Behler, events like the 'Zuke 500' are meant to help foster new community connections and help people have affordable and local access to healthy produce. (Jon Chiu/The Morning Call)Zucchini cars race down the track during the 20th Annual Zucchini 500 on Thursday, July 23, 2026 at the 10th & Pine street community garden in Easton. According to West Ward Community Initiative manager Jacob Behler, events like the ‘Zuke 500’ are meant to help foster new community connections and help people have affordable and local access to healthy produce. (Jon Chiu/The Morning Call)
Children and adults work on zucchini cars during the 20th Annual Zucchini 500 on Thursday, July 23, 2026 at the 10th & Pine street community garden in Easton. According to West Ward Community Initiative manager Jacob Behler, events like the 'Zuke 500' are meant to help foster new community connections and help people have affordable and local access to healthy produce. (Jon Chiu/The Morning Call)Children and adults work on zucchini cars during the 20th Annual Zucchini 500 on Thursday, July 23, 2026 at the 10th & Pine street community garden in Easton. According to West Ward Community Initiative manager Jacob Behler, events like the ‘Zuke 500’ are meant to help foster new community connections and help people have affordable and local access to healthy produce. (Jon Chiu/The Morning Call)
Children and adults work on zucchini cars during the 20th Annual Zucchini 500 on Thursday, July 23, 2026 at the 10th & Pine street community garden in Easton. According to West Ward Community Initiative manager Jacob Behler, events like the 'Zuke 500' are meant to help foster new community connections and help people have affordable and local access to healthy produce. (Jon Chiu/The Morning Call)Children and adults work on zucchini cars during the 20th Annual Zucchini 500 on Thursday, July 23, 2026 at the 10th & Pine street community garden in Easton. According to West Ward Community Initiative manager Jacob Behler, events like the ‘Zuke 500’ are meant to help foster new community connections and help people have affordable and local access to healthy produce. (Jon Chiu/The Morning Call)

NASCAR official Peter Brohl waves racing flags during the 20th Annual Zucchini 500 on Thursday, July 23, 2026 at the 10th & Pine street community garden in Easton. According to West Ward Community Initiative manager Jacob Behler, events like the 'Zuke 500' are meant to help foster new community connections and help people have affordable and local access to healthy produce. (Jon Chiu/The Morning Call)NASCAR official Peter Brohl waves racing flags during the 20th Annual Zucchini 500 on Thursday, July 23, 2026 at the 10th & Pine street community garden in Easton. According to West Ward Community Initiative manager Jacob Behler, events like the ‘Zuke 500’ are meant to help foster new community connections and help people have affordable and local access to healthy produce. (Jon Chiu/The Morning Call)
Kaye Stapleton and her granddaughter, Beatrix Yelagin, inspect avocados for purchase during the 20th Annual Zucchini 500 on Thursday, July 23, 2026 at the 10th & Pine street community garden in Easton. According to West Ward Community Initiative manager Jacob Behler, events like the 'Zuke 500' are meant to help foster new community connections and help people have affordable and local access to healthy produce. (Jon Chiu/The Morning Call)Kaye Stapleton and her granddaughter, Beatrix Yelagin, inspect avocados for purchase during the 20th Annual Zucchini 500 on Thursday, July 23, 2026 at the 10th & Pine street community garden in Easton. According to West Ward Community Initiative manager Jacob Behler, events like the ‘Zuke 500’ are meant to help foster new community connections and help people have affordable and local access to healthy produce. (Jon Chiu/The Morning Call)
Inbal Sella, the assistant farm manager of Easton Garden Works, holds up bulbs of garlic during the 20th Annual Zucchini on 500 Thursday, July 23, 2026 at the 10th & Pine street community garden in Easton. According to West Ward Community Initiative manager Jacob Behler, events like the 'Zuke 500' are meant to help foster new community connections and help people have affordable and local access to healthy produce. (Jon Chiu/The Morning Call)Inbal Sella, the assistant farm manager of Easton Garden Works, holds up bulbs of garlic during the 20th Annual Zucchini on 500 Thursday, July 23, 2026 at the 10th & Pine street community garden in Easton. According to West Ward Community Initiative manager Jacob Behler, events like the ‘Zuke 500’ are meant to help foster new community connections and help people have affordable and local access to healthy produce. (Jon Chiu/The Morning Call)

People inspect and purchase produce from Easton Garden Works during the 20th Annual Zucchini 500 on Thursday, July 23, 2026 at the 10th & Pine street community garden in Easton. According to West Ward Community Initiative manager Jacob Behler, events like the 'Zuke 500' are meant to help foster new community connections and help people have affordable and local access to healthy produce. (Jon Chiu/The Morning Call)People inspect and purchase produce from Easton Garden Works during the 20th Annual Zucchini 500 on Thursday, July 23, 2026 at the 10th & Pine street community garden in Easton. According to West Ward Community Initiative manager Jacob Behler, events like the ‘Zuke 500’ are meant to help foster new community connections and help people have affordable and local access to healthy produce. (Jon Chiu/The Morning Call)
Clarice James, coordinator for Power of Produce, prepares tomatoes during the 20th Annual Zucchini 500 on Thursday, July 23, 2026 at the 10th & Pine street community garden in Easton. According to West Ward Community Initiative manager Jacob Behler, events like the 'Zuke 500' are meant to help foster new community connections and help people have affordable and local access to healthy produce. (Jon Chiu/The Morning Call)Clarice James, coordinator for Power of Produce, prepares tomatoes during the 20th Annual Zucchini 500 on Thursday, July 23, 2026 at the 10th & Pine street community garden in Easton. According to West Ward Community Initiative manager Jacob Behler, events like the ‘Zuke 500’ are meant to help foster new community connections and help people have affordable and local access to healthy produce. (Jon Chiu/The Morning Call)
Zucchini cars are displayed on a table during judging for the award for most creative car during the 20th Annual Zucchini 500 on Thursday, July 23, 2026 at the 10th & Pine street community garden in Easton. According to West Ward Community Initiative manager Jacob Behler, events like the 'Zuke 500' are meant to help foster new community connections and help people have affordable and local access to healthy produce. (Jon Chiu/The Morning Call)Zucchini cars are displayed on a table during judging for the award for most creative car during the 20th Annual Zucchini 500 on Thursday, July 23, 2026 at the 10th & Pine street community garden in Easton. According to West Ward Community Initiative manager Jacob Behler, events like the ‘Zuke 500’ are meant to help foster new community connections and help people have affordable and local access to healthy produce. (Jon Chiu/The Morning Call)

Zucchini cars race down the track during the 20th Annual Zucchini 500 on Thursday, July 23, 2026 at the 10th & Pine street community garden in Easton. According to West Ward Community Initiative manager Jacob Behler, events like the 'Zuke 500' are meant to help foster new community connections and help people have affordable and local access to healthy produce. (Jon Chiu/The Morning Call)Zucchini cars race down the track during the 20th Annual Zucchini 500 on Thursday, July 23, 2026 at the 10th & Pine street community garden in Easton. According to West Ward Community Initiative manager Jacob Behler, events like the ‘Zuke 500’ are meant to help foster new community connections and help people have affordable and local access to healthy produce. (Jon Chiu/The Morning Call)
Annika Schwartz, 10, shows her zucchini car to Ellie Nees, 10, during the 20th Annual Zucchini 500 on Thursday, July 23, 2026 at the 10th & Pine street community garden in Easton. According to West Ward Community Initiative manager Jacob Behler, events like the 'Zuke 500' are meant to help foster new community connections and help people have affordable and local access to healthy produce. (Jon Chiu/The Morning Call)Annika Schwartz, 10, shows her zucchini car to Ellie Nees, 10, during the 20th Annual Zucchini 500 on Thursday, July 23, 2026 at the 10th & Pine street community garden in Easton. According to West Ward Community Initiative manager Jacob Behler, events like the ‘Zuke 500’ are meant to help foster new community connections and help people have affordable and local access to healthy produce. (Jon Chiu/The Morning Call)
Zucchini cars race down the track during the 20th Annual Zucchini 500 on Thursday, July 23, 2026 at the 10th & Pine street community garden in Easton. According to West Ward Community Initiative manager Jacob Behler, events like the 'Zuke 500' are meant to help foster new community connections and help people have affordable and local access to healthy produce. (Jon Chiu/The Morning Call)Zucchini cars race down the track during the 20th Annual Zucchini 500 on Thursday, July 23, 2026 at the 10th & Pine street community garden in Easton. According to West Ward Community Initiative manager Jacob Behler, events like the ‘Zuke 500’ are meant to help foster new community connections and help people have affordable and local access to healthy produce. (Jon Chiu/The Morning Call)

Zucchini cars race down the track during the 20th Annual Zucchini 500 on Thursday, July 23, 2026 at the 10th & Pine street community garden in Easton. According to West Ward Community Initiative manager Jacob Behler, events like the 'Zuke 500' are meant to help foster new community connections and help people have affordable and local access to healthy produce. (Jon Chiu/The Morning Call)Zucchini cars race down the track during the 20th Annual Zucchini 500 on Thursday, July 23, 2026 at the 10th & Pine street community garden in Easton. According to West Ward Community Initiative manager Jacob Behler, events like the ‘Zuke 500’ are meant to help foster new community connections and help people have affordable and local access to healthy produce. (Jon Chiu/The Morning Call)
Produce from Easton Garden Works is laid out on tables for sale during the 20th Annual Zucchini 500 on Thursday, July 23, 2026 at the 10th & Pine street community garden in Easton. According to West Ward Community Initiative manager Jacob Behler, events like the 'Zuke 500' are meant to help foster new community connections and help people have affordable and local access to healthy produce. (Jon Chiu/The Morning Call)Produce from Easton Garden Works is laid out on tables for sale during the 20th Annual Zucchini 500 on Thursday, July 23, 2026 at the 10th & Pine street community garden in Easton. According to West Ward Community Initiative manager Jacob Behler, events like the ‘Zuke 500’ are meant to help foster new community connections and help people have affordable and local access to healthy produce. (Jon Chiu/The Morning Call)
Dishes of tomatoes, basil and mozzarella cheese are lined up next to a crate of uncut tomatoes during the 20th Annual Zucchini 500 on Thursday, July 23, 2026 at the 10th & Pine street community garden in Easton. According to West Ward Community Initiative manager Jacob Behler, events like the 'Zuke 500' are meant to help foster new community connections and help people have affordable and local access to healthy produce. (Jon Chiu/The Morning Call)Dishes of tomatoes, basil and mozzarella cheese are lined up next to a crate of uncut tomatoes during the 20th Annual Zucchini 500 on Thursday, July 23, 2026 at the 10th & Pine street community garden in Easton. According to West Ward Community Initiative manager Jacob Behler, events like the ‘Zuke 500’ are meant to help foster new community connections and help people have affordable and local access to healthy produce. (Jon Chiu/The Morning Call)

Henry Nees, 8, works on his zucchini car during the 20th Annual Zucchini 500 on Thursday, July 23, 2026 at the 10th & Pine street community garden in Easton. According to West Ward Community Initiative manager Jacob Behler, events like the 'Zuke 500' are meant to help foster new community connections and help people have affordable and local access to healthy produce. (Jon Chiu/The Morning Call)Henry Nees, 8, works on his zucchini car during the 20th Annual Zucchini 500 on Thursday, July 23, 2026 at the 10th & Pine street community garden in Easton. According to West Ward Community Initiative manager Jacob Behler, events like the ‘Zuke 500’ are meant to help foster new community connections and help people have affordable and local access to healthy produce. (Jon Chiu/The Morning Call)
West Ward Community Initiative manager Jacob Behler makes announcements during the 20th Annual Zucchini 500 on Thursday, July 23, 2026 at the 10th & Pine street community garden in Easton. According to Behler, events like the 'Zuke 500' are meant to help foster new community connections and help people have affordable and local access to healthy produce. (Jon Chiu/The Morning Call)West Ward Community Initiative manager Jacob Behler makes announcements during the 20th Annual Zucchini 500 on Thursday, July 23, 2026 at the 10th & Pine street community garden in Easton. According to Behler, events like the ‘Zuke 500’ are meant to help foster new community connections and help people have affordable and local access to healthy produce. (Jon Chiu/The Morning Call)
Zucchinis from Easton Garden Works are laid out on a table for sale during the 20th Annual Zucchini 500 on Thursday, July 23, 2026 at the 10th & Pine street community garden in Easton. According to West Ward Community Initiative manager Jacob Behler, events like the 'Zuke 500' are meant to help foster new community connections and help people have affordable and local access to healthy produce. (Jon Chiu/The Morning Call)Zucchinis from Easton Garden Works are laid out on a table for sale during the 20th Annual Zucchini 500 on Thursday, July 23, 2026 at the 10th & Pine street community garden in Easton. According to West Ward Community Initiative manager Jacob Behler, events like the ‘Zuke 500’ are meant to help foster new community connections and help people have affordable and local access to healthy produce. (Jon Chiu/The Morning Call)

Produce from Easton Garden Works is laid out on tables for sale during the 20th Annual Zucchini 500 on Thursday, July 23, 2026 at the 10th & Pine street community garden in Easton. According to West Ward Community Initiative manager Jacob Behler, events like the 'Zuke 500' are meant to help foster new community connections and help people have affordable and local access to healthy produce. (Jon Chiu/The Morning Call)Produce from Easton Garden Works is laid out on tables for sale during the 20th Annual Zucchini 500 on Thursday, July 23, 2026 at the 10th & Pine street community garden in Easton. According to West Ward Community Initiative manager Jacob Behler, events like the ‘Zuke 500’ are meant to help foster new community connections and help people have affordable and local access to healthy produce. (Jon Chiu/The Morning Call)
Henry Nees, 8, holds up the trophy for most creative car after he and his sister, Ellie Nees, 10, both won the award during the 20th Annual Zucchini 500 on Thursday, July 23, 2026 at the 10th & Pine street community garden in Easton. Both Neeses had connected their zucchini cars together, causing the judge to award them both. (Jon Chiu/The Morning Call)Henry Nees, 8, holds up the trophy for most creative car after he and his sister, Ellie Nees, 10, both won the award during the 20th Annual Zucchini 500 on Thursday, July 23, 2026 at the 10th & Pine street community garden in Easton. Both Neeses had connected their zucchini cars together, causing the judge to award them both. (Jon Chiu/The Morning Call)