The urban agriculture group 490 Farmers debuted their new community garden Sunday afternoon.
The aim of the project is to create a hub of activity, learning and neighborhood collaboration in a previously unused space, and to supply those who are food insecure with access to free and healthy food.
The Broadway Community Garden is at the corner of Meigs and Broadway in downtown Rochester.
Chloe Smith, Director and Co-founder of 490 Farmers and says they’ve had their eye on this empty lot for a while.
"It’s a really convenient, central point and very visible so it’s really a great spot to see what’s going on and see if they want to be a part of it."
She says it’s an area that’s near the homeless population, which will help the group provide them with some food and resources. It’s also easily accessible from the Pearl, Meigs and Monroe neighborhoods.
Smith says urban agriculture is all about making food accessible, local and giving people options.
"Versus going to the supermarket where everything is shipped a million miles and uses a lot of carbon and a lot of packaging. Just to be able to grow it near your house for free and very healthy and sustainably is really important."
This is the first time the New York State Department of Transportation has allowed a community garden on their land.
It’s also the first gardening space for the 490 Farmers group.
Anyone is welcome to stop by on Sundays from 11am to 6pm for volunteer workdays.
The garden is a collaboration between the Southeast Area Coalition, Seedfolk City Farm and Taproot Collective.