A community garden at the South Chattanooga Recreation Center is allowing youth to be exposed to healthy nutrition practices, while getting hands-on experience with growing fresh fruits, vegetables and herbs.
The community garden, located on 1151 West 40th St., was built in March with the help of the Bethlehem Center and Urban League of Chattanooga, who sponsored a “Garden Party” in which volunteers from both organizations came out to help build garden beds and plant a variety of seeds and plants.
Gabrielle Sanders, program director for Urban League’s Quality of Life Program, says the community gardens are a way for youth to learn about fresh healthy foods and the hard work that goes into raising them.
“The goal is to get the kids excited about the process, so they can take the excitement home and share it with their parents,” said Ms. Sanders. “I have pictures of kids, who at one time wouldn’t look twice at a fresh vegetable, eating peppers straight out of the garden because they grew it.”
Toni Williams, director of the South Chattanooga Recreation Center says the garden includes potatoes, cucumbers, radishes, carrots, kale, cabbage, garlic, broccoli, tomatoes, bell peppers eggplant, squash, jalapenos, white onions and zucchini, in addition to herbs such as basil and mint.
“We had blueberries and strawberries growing as well, but our squirrel friends got to them before we did,” she said.
Ms. Williams added that some of the kids have past experience with gardens from their parents and grandparents, but the majority of them have never witnessed plants being raised.
“We never force the kids to help, but those that do love to water the plants and handle the maintenance of the garden and different crops. It has been incredible to see a lot of them more willing to try new veggies and sample their work,” she said.
Since starting the garden, many of the crops have been used to make dishes such as broccoli casserole. The Prevention Center at South Chattanooga Recreation Center even started a class called, “Grillin’ with B,” where teens learn how to independently prepare healthy meals for themselves, their family and friends.
“The crops have been used to prepare a variety of different dishes for everyone to taste at the recreation center or we give them to those around the community who stop in,” she said.
In addition to the South Chattanooga Recreation Center, community gardens can be found at East Lake Recreation, South Chattanooga Recreation, Carver Recreation Complex, East Chattanooga Recreation Center, Eastdale Recreation Center, North Chattanooga Recreation Center, Washington Hills, John A Patten Recreation Complex, and Glenwood Recreation Center.
For more information on the community gardens, contact Brian Smith at 643-6096.