CNN - "Urban farming movement 'like a revolution'"

[TomCADem]

This is not really political, but the thought of growing food locally as a means of community empowerment seemed pretty cool, particularly since I am a fan of farmer's markets generally.

http://www.cnn.com/2009/LIVING/06/29/bia.urban.farming/...

Urban farming movement 'like a revolution'

"Minority people are affected by poor food, more than any other groups," and many inner cities lack access to quality fruits and vegetables, Allen says. "Our food system is broken."

"When you're poor, when you don't have access to resources, you have to create your own," says Myers. "So this is a way for people of African descent to use their creativity to grow their own food."

Many poorer communities don't have full-scale grocery stores. Allen charges that companies have red-lined those areas and won't build stores there.

So community activists like Myers have taken up the fight.

" community gardens in local communities, specifically in urban areas, is important, so you create your own food security network," says Myers. "You're not relying on large grocery stores to provide food for everyone because if those grocery stores have problems, your access to food is done."

HABESHA Gardens makes the fresh food accessible to people in Mechanicsville by opening up the garden to people in the community every Sunday from noon to 4 p.m.