Community Gardens Sprouting Near YOU!


In 2005, charitable organization Impact 100 Pensacola Bay Area gifted Pensacola's MANNA Food Pantry with $125,000 in what could liter- ally be called "seed money." Used to start their new community garden initiative, the money has


become a gift that truly continues to give. Think the idea of a community garden is strange, where


people work plots of land together and share the bounty? You wouldn't be alone. The concept does seem unusual. But around the country, and right here along the Gulf Coast, the benefi ts of community gardens are becoming increasingly obvious, and they are sprouting up everywhere, bringing healthier food and healthier community relationships. MANNA now has two gardens, one an organic garden


at Azalea Trace Retirement Community, and one an urban garden created in a greenhouse area created on a concrete slab cleared by Hurricane Ivan. All the produce is distributed to area families in need.


But community gardening is contagious! Manna has


collaborated with several other area organizations to create community gardens, including several listed on their website, with even more planned. Perhaps most exciting are the community gardens MANNA has helped start in area schools. School children take care of the gardens, teachers sculpt lessons around the experience, and everyone enjoys fresh, healthy produce in their lunchrooms. (Children are even reported to be happily eating their green beans.) Community gardens are currently established at Bellview Middle, Cordova Park Elementary, Creative Learning Academy, Episcopal Day School, Hallmark Elementary, Montessori School of Pensacola, and at the Head Start Program Offi ce.


One of the newest gardens, established at O.J. Semmes Elementary, has had additional backing and helps demonstrate how community gardens truly bring communities together. Unite Escambia, a grass-roots community organization formed to help provide "a healthy community where all have the inspiration and opportunity to succeed," identifi ed "Health" as one of fi ve areas needing a focused team. Wtih an emphasis on healthy families and children, Unite Escambia's Health Team began exploring the development of community gardens in the schools. MANNA soon heard of their efforts, and their joint missions lead to the community garden at O.J. Semmes, with more planned. Not all community gardens have been MANNA


collaborations. Many are springing up as groups begin to embrace the increased health and camaraderie, as well as the fi nancial benefi ts. In Walton County, Hometown Community Garden


natural awakenings July 2010 25


is located at the corner of 12th Street and Main Street in DeFuniak Springs. The garden is supported by the University of Florida IFAS Extension Walton County, the City of DeFuniak Springs, and volunteers. The purpose of the garden is to teach the community about gardening, and a portion of the garden is dedicated to growing produce for local food pantries. Freeport Community Garden is located behind City Hall


in Freeport, 112 State Highway 20 W. Created to help the community learn to grow produce, a portion of the produce is donated to local charities. The garden is supported by the City of Freeport, local businesses and volunteers.


FOR MORE INFORMATION:


MANNA Food Gardens: Sarah Bossa, 850-432-2053, www.mannafoodpantries.org


Unite Escambia: Kris Thoma, 850-444-7114, www.Uni- teEscambia.com


Hometown Community Garden: Kendra Zamojski, 850- 892-8172, hughson@ufl .edu


Freeport Community Garden: Kathy Storr, freeportcom- munitygarden1@yahoo.com General: www.communitygarden.org/learn/ General: www.pickyourown.org/FLpanhandle.htm


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