Growing Gardens- Portland, OR by Diane

August 10, 2007

Growing Gardens organizes volunteers to build organic gardens in the yards (or even on balconies) of residents in low-income neighborhoods in the east side of Portland area. They help for three years by providing seeds, plants, classes, and help with gardening in an effort to fight hunger. Their mission is “to promote home-scale, organic food gardening to improve nutrition, health, and self-reliance while enhancing quality of life and the environment.”

Okay, that might sound a little wonky – in short, they help people plant vegetable gardens so they can get the freshest, healthiest food possible – right from their yard. Right now they have 150 families in their program – they get 50 new families each year as 50 families leave. They’re so popular, they even have a waiting list!

Unfortunately, we were really tight on time so were only able to visit one of the gardens, but it was amazing how many vegetables were being grown in a relatively small backyard. There was corn, tomatoes, zucchini and more. The family that hosted us even had a plum tree with the most amazing plums!

This is another one of the creative things being done to help fight hunger – and how much more local can you get than your own backyard.

I also heard of another program in Washington (not sure if it’s nationwide) where people with extra food from their gardens donate them to local food banks to help feed those in need. What a wonderful, creative idea! So many gardeners have food go to waste in the height of harvest season.

I was also told that out in places like Nebraska, if you leave you go out and leave your car doors unlocked during harvest season, you might come back to find bags full of vegetables in your backseat! (I’m secretly hoping to see that while out there….)

If you want to check out more about Growing Gardens and all they do, they have a 15 minute video up on their website at growing-gardens.org. I hope there are groups like this all over the country.

Want to read more about our events today?

Bob's Red Mill
The Real Dirt on Farmer John and a Pie and a Pint
Plate and Pitchfork
Zenger Farms

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