PHOENIX — Lifting each other up and fighting food insecurity.
That’s the goal of a Phoenix community garden, that’s helping provide nutritious food for people who live in a food desert — an area where there’s not a grocery store nearby.
The community resource is now empowering families and helping them save money at the same time.
“Heart & Soil People’s Garden is about community. It’s about sisterhood. It’s about food sovereignty,” said Nika Forté, the garden director.
Forté spends a lot of time a special place that used to be a vacant lot near 2nd Street and Durango in Phoenix.
“This is centered right in the middle of a food desert,” she said. “There’s not a grocery store within 3-mile of this area.”
She also teaches beekeeping to underserved communities.
“Bees help increase your production by pollinating your space,” she said.
It’s now a thriving, eco-conscious community resource.
“I love the peace and tranquility, and I like connecting and networking with other women,” said Charlotte Sloan, the garden manager.
Right now, they’re working to spread fresh soil and clear weeds in prepping the garden for the fall season.
“We’ll be doing kale, greens, spinach, Swiss chard, broccoli,” said Sloan.
Forté said the food she grows for her family of five is a significant cost savings.
“Groceries are very high and expensive these days, so I think it’s always best to learn how to grow your own food,” she said. “I’m taking at least 10-15% of my grocery budget off the list.”
The garden is a program that’s part of Local First Arizona, the organization that provided the land.
“They are doing a phenomenal job in supporting us as women out here in this space,” said Sloan.
Heart & Soil was designated a "People's Garden" by the U.S. Department of Agriculture in 2023.
“We love to just see these women able to practice food independence,” said Rebekah Sanders, Local First Arizona spokesperson. “They are growing thousands of pounds of nutritious fruits and vegetables for their families every year.”
The women-led urban farm grows more than 14,000 pounds of fresh, nutritious fruits and vegetables every year.
“At our last food giveaway, we helped over 100 families… so rewarding,” said Forté.
This is just the beginning of even more empowerment through sustainability.
“We’re so excited that we’re going to be able to double the size of the garden with a major donation from the Bob and Renee Parsons Foundation,” said Sanders.
She said the project is set to be complete in about a year from now.
“It is considered a food desert, but we’re making it a food oasis,” she said.
For more information or if you want to get involved, head to the Heart and Soil People's Garden website.
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