Produce for the people, by the people

[OneGrassRoot]

"There's a new breed of urban agriculture germinating throughout the country, one whose seeds come from an unlikely source.

Local government officials from Baltimore, Md., to Bainbridge Island, Wash. are plowing under the ubiquitous hydrangeas, petunias, daylilies, and turf grass around public buildings, and planting fruits and vegetables instead -- as well as in underutilized spaces in our parks, plazas, street medians, and even parking lots. The new attitude at forward-thinking city halls seems to be, in a tough economy, why expend precious resources growing ornamental plants, when you can grow edible ones? And the bounty from these municipal gardens -- call it public produce -- not only promotes healthy eating, it bolsters food security simply by providing passersby with ready access to low- or no-cost fresh fruits and vegetables.

<snip>

In Seattle, a forgotten strip of land that once attracted only those engaged in illicit behavior is now a source of fresh food and community pride. Residents of the Queen Anne neighborhood worked with the Department of Transportation to transform a neglected street median, rampant with invasive plants and pricked with hypodermic syringes, into a community garden and gathering space. They cleared the median of its debris and weeds, and have recently constructed raised vegetable beds and planted fruit trees..."

More at link: http://www.grist.org/article/food-smart-city-governments-grow-produce-for-the-people





:hippie:

[gateley]

1. K&R -- nt

[asdjrocky]

2. I've been reading a lot about this.

There are open plots of land all over my little neighborhood and it would be great to get something going. We have two community gardens in town, but both or far away and kind of big to the point that they are hard to manage. They do good work, but I know people on my own street that have gotten their maid supply for the summer season from my backyard garden, and they can't make it across town to do their own gardening.

Thanks for the article!

[postulater]

3. Check out this group.

It was started by Will Allen, a former NBA player. They teach inner city people how to grow food and market the produce throughout Milwaukee at Farmer's Markets. They grow fish in indoor tanks and use the water to fertilize the plants. Very creative and resourceful. You'll be hearing a lot about this group in particular.

"Growing Power is a national nonprofit organization and land trust supporting people from diverse backgrounds, and the environments in which they live, by helping to provide equal access to healthy, high-quality, safe and affordable food for people in all communities. Growing Power implements this mission by providing hands-on training, on-the-ground demonstration, outreach and technical assistance through the development of Community Food Systems that help people grow, process, market and distribute food in a sustainable manner."

<http://www.growingpower.org/>

[OneGrassRoot]

4. Yes! That's the one I've been looking for!

I read about it a while ago and couldn't remember enough of the details to Google and find again.

Thanks so much! :)

[asdjrocky]

5. Cool link, thanks! nt