City Gardens Feed City Plates
Written By: Ruth Muhtsun
Empty lots sit idle while the effects of recession, high prices, low quality, and hunger echo throughout the metro area. City gardens are not a revolutionary idea, and there are numerous reasons why using vacant lots in the city is beneficial. With the current economical climate, the luxury of indifference has expired. It is time to follow the lead of local gardeners and use the over 12,000 unoccupied city lots to grow gardens of produce and cooperation.
The potential outcome of community gardening could promote entrepreneurship. It could also support the foundation of a green industrial future. In June 2010, the Kansas City Star reported the 10-3 vote to allow city gardeners to sell produce grown locally. The new regulation allows city growers to sell their harvests between May 15 - Oct 15. Although farming co-ops require a special permit, the council’s decision encourages cultivation on available land that is otherwise an eyesore. Of the council’s 10-3 vote, Councilman John Sharp was quoted as saying,
“I’m very pleased we had such overwhelming support to encourage vegetable gardening and healthy eating here in Kansas City.”
As a city dweller without a car, garden grown produce at competitive prices would be a relief from the high prices and low quality of local grocery stores. It is also unsatisfying to sacrifice fruits and vegetables at restaurants because of bacterial epidemics or inclement weather across the globe. City gardens advance local competition and satisfy consumer demands and needs. Community gardening could be an opportunity for career reinvention or a change of direction for casualties of our unfortunate economy.
Charity is a noble and frequent motivation for Kansas City residents to join forces in community gardening. The Kansas City Star gave the spotlight to community garden organizers in 2009. In September, Carol’s Garden, named after the executive director of The Community Assistance Council (CAC) Carol Owsley, launched in the hopes of cultivating crops to donate to the homeless and underprivileged. The CAC, sustained by part-time employees, volunteers, church groups, and other civic assemblies, already manages a food pantry and Meals on Wheels assistance. Kansas City, like any other large metropolis, has a considerable struggle with homelessness and improvised families. Even large organizations like Harvesters of America and United Way find that resources are offset by the overwhelming needs of the public. No person should have to withhold vital nutrients or raise the risks of diabetes and heart disease for themselves and their children. And community gardening can help relieve dependence on unhealthy foods high in sodium and high fructose syrup, the type of foods families on modest budgets are frequently subjected to. With this common goal, community gardens intended for charitable crops strengthen the bond between volunteer and the neighborhood and reinforce the fellowship between existing members of humanitarian groups.
The drive to organize community gardens in Kansas City has had a slow start. Still, Kansas city has strength in numbers while avoiding the congestion that ails other large cities. We are dealing with both an over abundance of space and a hungry population. Kansas City needs an innovative idea that will bring people together and soothe demand for healthy, affordable food. We are also living in economical conditions that will drive the costs of transporting produce from rural areas higher. For better or worse, capitalism has a place in the American financial system. At the same time, agriculture has had a strong hold in our economy since colonial days. The time is ripe for ushering an era of small businesses and conversational industry. Furthermore, humanitarian visionaries like Carol Owsley see an opportunity to support their neighborhoods by starting community gardens to feed the deprived. Kansas City also has the national support from the likes of First Lady Michelle Obama who campaigns for ecological consciousness and curbing childhood obesity. She was quoted at an NAACP convention in the Kansas City Star saying,
“Our goal is ambitious...We want to eliminate food deserts in this country within seven years and create jobs and revitalize neighborhoods along the way.”
It’s time that we step up, encourage ourselves and our youth, and begin community gardens. Instead of unoccupied blemishes, we all deserve lush green land in the City of Fountains.
For these articles you please visit:
Michelle Obama promotes healthy eating campaign at NAACP convention
Kansas City Star, The (MO) - July 13, 2010
Section: News
Page: A1
KC Council votes 10-3 to allow city gardeners to sell produce
Kansas City Star, The (MO) - June 11, 2010
Section: News
Page: A4
The seeds she planted will feed those in need
Kansas City Star, The (MO) - October 28, 2009
Section: News
Page: SO10
Empty lots sit idle while the effects of recession, high prices, low quality, and hunger echo throughout the metro area. City gardens are not a revolutionary idea, and there are numerous reasons why using vacant lots in the city is beneficial. With the current economical climate, the luxury of indifference has expired. It is time to follow the lead of local gardeners and use the over 12,000 unoccupied city lots to grow gardens of produce and cooperation.
The potential outcome of community gardening could promote entrepreneurship. It could also support the foundation of a green industrial future. In June 2010, the Kansas City Star reported the 10-3 vote to allow city gardeners to sell produce grown locally. The new regulation allows city growers to sell their harvests between May 15 - Oct 15. Although farming co-ops require a special permit, the council’s decision encourages cultivation on available land that is otherwise an eyesore. Of the council’s 10-3 vote, Councilman John Sharp was quoted as saying,
“I’m very pleased we had such overwhelming support to encourage vegetable gardening and healthy eating here in Kansas City.”
As a city dweller without a car, garden grown produce at competitive prices would be a relief from the high prices and low quality of local grocery stores. It is also unsatisfying to sacrifice fruits and vegetables at restaurants because of bacterial epidemics or inclement weather across the globe. City gardens advance local competition and satisfy consumer demands and needs. Community gardening could be an opportunity for career reinvention or a change of direction for casualties of our unfortunate economy.
Charity is a noble and frequent motivation for Kansas City residents to join forces in community gardening. The Kansas City Star gave the spotlight to community garden organizers in 2009. In September, Carol’s Garden, named after the executive director of The Community Assistance Council (CAC) Carol Owsley, launched in the hopes of cultivating crops to donate to the homeless and underprivileged. The CAC, sustained by part-time employees, volunteers, church groups, and other civic assemblies, already manages a food pantry and Meals on Wheels assistance. Kansas City, like any other large metropolis, has a considerable struggle with homelessness and improvised families. Even large organizations like Harvesters of America and United Way find that resources are offset by the overwhelming needs of the public. No person should have to withhold vital nutrients or raise the risks of diabetes and heart disease for themselves and their children. And community gardening can help relieve dependence on unhealthy foods high in sodium and high fructose syrup, the type of foods families on modest budgets are frequently subjected to. With this common goal, community gardens intended for charitable crops strengthen the bond between volunteer and the neighborhood and reinforce the fellowship between existing members of humanitarian groups.
The drive to organize community gardens in Kansas City has had a slow start. Still, Kansas city has strength in numbers while avoiding the congestion that ails other large cities. We are dealing with both an over abundance of space and a hungry population. Kansas City needs an innovative idea that will bring people together and soothe demand for healthy, affordable food. We are also living in economical conditions that will drive the costs of transporting produce from rural areas higher. For better or worse, capitalism has a place in the American financial system. At the same time, agriculture has had a strong hold in our economy since colonial days. The time is ripe for ushering an era of small businesses and conversational industry. Furthermore, humanitarian visionaries like Carol Owsley see an opportunity to support their neighborhoods by starting community gardens to feed the deprived. Kansas City also has the national support from the likes of First Lady Michelle Obama who campaigns for ecological consciousness and curbing childhood obesity. She was quoted at an NAACP convention in the Kansas City Star saying,
“Our goal is ambitious...We want to eliminate food deserts in this country within seven years and create jobs and revitalize neighborhoods along the way.”
It’s time that we step up, encourage ourselves and our youth, and begin community gardens. Instead of unoccupied blemishes, we all deserve lush green land in the City of Fountains.
For these articles you please visit:
Michelle Obama promotes healthy eating campaign at NAACP convention
Kansas City Star, The (MO) - July 13, 2010
Section: News
Page: A1
KC Council votes 10-3 to allow city gardeners to sell produce
Kansas City Star, The (MO) - June 11, 2010
Section: News
Page: A4
The seeds she planted will feed those in need
Kansas City Star, The (MO) - October 28, 2009
Section: News
Page: SO10
Posted by Urban Growth KC at 7/21/2010 3:32 PM 
Categories: Our City
Tags: local growth un-used plots local produce wasted space sustainablity
Categories: Our City
Tags: local growth un-used plots local produce wasted space sustainablity
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