Something green: City's community garden project has many benefits

Right now it is still in its fledgling stages, but the city of Goldsboro's plan for a community garden program is one of the best ideas to come along in a while.

It can help on many levels -- first, it will help bring healthy, fresh foods at a reasonable cost to local residents, and two, it offers yet another opportunity for neighbors from all walks of life to get together and learn a little bit about each other.

The project is designed to create a major produce garden in the city -- and to use volunteers to not only plan it, but also to care for it. So, when it is all finished, it will be a true city project.

This is not the first time that a community garden project has been tried -- there are successful efforts under way right now at Dillard Academy and at the county library. So, while the community produce garden will be a first for the city, it will not be the only spot where there are gardeners available.

In this day and age when so many people are battling obesity and when money is tight, giving people the option of a place to find good, nutritious food they can afford is a positive effort to combat a growing concern.

And after the vegetables are here, perhaps a cooking class and a couple of health classes might also spring up.

But no matter what comes next, this is an idea worth nurturing -- and supporting.

Published in Editorials on March 12, 2010 10:36 AM