The Heart of the Community: A Garden Grows in a Neighborhood
At Aunt Katie's Community Garden, the focus is on more than just planting and harvesting. According to Deputy Director Or Scruggs, it's about connecting with people, introducing them to new foods, and making fresh, healthy eating a reality for everyone in the neighborhood.
The Power of a Simple Ingredient
"You have to kind of lead people into the direction of eating fresh produce," Orran explains. He does this by turning fresh ingredients into appealing, ready-to-eat products. For instance, he transforms basil into a zesty pesto and creates hot sauces and lentil soups. This approach makes it easier for people to try something new, moving away from processed foods and embracing fresh alternatives.
One of his proudest moments came from introducing a lesser-known vegetable: bok choy. After making a simple stir-fry and sharing it, the garden saw a surprising demand for the Asian cabbage. Customers now buy entire rows for their weekly meal prep, proving that a little culinary creativity can go a long way in promoting healthy eating.
A Garden for Every Neighbor
The garden's location is no accident; it's deliberately placed in the center of the neighborhood to provide a convenient, fresh food source. "We say, stop at Aunt Katie's before you go to the grocery store," Orran says. "You can mark off at least two or three items off your list and it'll save you a lot of money."
But it's not just about convenience and cost. The garden is also a testament to the power of fresh, natural food. Orran recounts the story of a woman who found relief from inflammation in her ankles and knees by regularly drinking a hibiscus tea he makes. He's quick to point out that he's not a doctor and can't make medical claims, but he's seen firsthand how switching to fresh, unprocessed foods can have a positive impact. Another customer with gut issues found she could enjoy collard greens from the garden without irritation because they are grown without harsh chemicals or pesticides. The garden relies on natural pest control, creating a healthier product.
Growing for Everyone, Everywhere
Aunt Katie's Community Garden provides a model for growing food in any situation. Their tunnel house technology allows them to grow year-round, and inside, they showcase various methods:
Containers: For those with limited space, like apartment dwellers.
In-ground beds: A traditional method protected from the elements.
Raised beds: Designed for the elderly or individuals with back problems, making gardening more accessible.
Tower gardens: A vertical growing system perfect for small spaces, used as a project for neighborhood kids.
The garden operates as a self-sustaining ecosystem, where companion planting and an on-site apiary of bees work together to keep the plants healthy and productive.
Spreading the Love and the Harvest
The garden offers a variety of ways for the community to get involved. A sponsorship program includes options for families to work a bed with their kids, a subscription service for those who want the harvest without the labor, and corporate sponsorships for local businesses.
Beyond the garden walls, Orran connects with people through vendor events and social media. He creates instructional videos, like one showing how to prepare an eggplant dish, to guide people from the garden to their kitchen. Tasting events and tours further demystify the process, turning fresh produce into an enjoyable culinary adventure.
Ultimately, Or sees the garden's mission as a community empowerment project, built on three pillars: nutritional education, community development, and healthy living. "Eating is for the mind, body, and soul," he says. By teaching people how to grow and prepare their own food, Aunt Katie's Community Garden is helping to build a healthier, more connected community, one person—and one bok choy plant—at a time.