By MICHELLE SHAW
So much to share this month! First, a huge shout out to our youth coordinators who have been working with us since December through a Minneapolis Green Zones grant: Janicea Comey, Timya Jones and Julius Rennie. They’ve done a lot of work connecting community members with fresh produce through community garden mapping. They’ve also created a directory to promote plant-based businesses that are BIPOC and woman-owned. If you live in one of the Southside Green Zone zip codes of 55454, 55404, 55406 or 55407 (or your business is there), have a plant-based business or offer vegan options, and would like to be included in the directory, please contact minneapolisedibleboulevards@gmail.com.
Have you ever thought about growing food for your home (or business, community space, place of worship, what have you) and also creating a space where community members can share what you grow? Then Minneapolis Edible Boulevards is for you! If you’ve never planted a garden before, that’s okay. We can teach you! If you know how and just need help with soil testing (and a few bags of organic soil on the side!), we can help with that too. We’re looking for participants who are interested in gardening long-term, so the City can see one new way of growing food with safety at the helm.
Who’s eligible to apply? Those who live in the Southside Green Zone neighborhoods, which are East Phillips, Phillips West, Midtown Phillips, Ventura Village and Cedar Riverside. Be on the lookout for our applications towards the end of April on our Minneapolis Edible Boulevards Facebook page. If not on Facebook, contact the email above for an application. We provide the funding, resources and education; you provide the space, garden tending, desire for learning and skill sharing. If you live in a neighborhood that we don’t currently serve and would like to create your own edible boulevard, please contact our email so we can add you to the City pilot.
Join our Facebook page, and be sure to check there for our community garden map link, plant-based directory and upcoming applications. We can always use volunteers too! (Social media, anyone?) See you in May!
