We love fresh, local produce. It is good for the local environment, the local economy, and the taste buds. When it comes to local food, Southside Community Land Trust is a pioneer in Rhode Island. SCLT began organizing and cultivating urban community gardens 30 years ago, and their 50 acre Urban Edge Farm in Cranston, RI is home to seven small farms.
According to the 2013 Annual Report, SCLT produced over 45,000 pounds of produce in their community garden network, and donated over 500 pounds of food to local food banks. SCLT also offers workshops in organic gardening, urban beekeeping, and cooking with fresh produce. Additionally, they are working to develop several vacant city-owned lots into garden and farm spaces.
The Southside Community Land Trust is a vital part of the effort to bring fresh and healthy food into all parts of the city, and they continue to remind all of us how important it is to be in touch with what we eat. As a non-profit organization, they rely heavily on our support. They also really know how to put the “fun” into fundraising; this Saturday and Sunday, May 17 and 18, is the 22nd annual plant sale at Southside Community Land Trust’s City Farm.
From the SCLT website:
City Farm is home to the Rare and Unusual Plant Sale every year. One weekend in May, hundreds of varieties of annuals, perennials, and fruit and vegetable plant starts are available for purchase. Most of the 18,000 plants were carefully cultivated through the late winter and early spring on-site by the City Farm team, including dozens of volunteers. Hundreds of other perennials are donated by generous local gardeners.
Perhaps we will see you there.
