Mayor Parker Launches Urban Grows Initiative

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Mayor Parker Launches Urban Grows Initiative

Mayor Annise Parker today announced, with Urban Harvest, the launch of Urban Grows, the first vegetable allotment garden program utilizing City of Houston property. Urban Grows, part of the City of Houston’s Healthy Houston initiative, aims to help communities build vegetable gardens, farms and orchards on vacant land in areas with poor access to healthy fresh foods, often referred to as food deserts.

“Limited access to nutritional food and fresh fruits and vegetables is a problem we are working to address,” said Mayor Parker. “By giving neighborhoods tools to grow their own vegetable gardens, we are not only improving nutritional choices that increase health but bringing neighbors together to build a positive environment.”

The City of Houston will provide lots through its LARA program (Land Assemblage Redevelopment Authority), which works to redevelop tax-delinquent and abandoned properties.  Community members, partnering with local non-profits, foundations or churches, will then work to transform these vacant lots into usable, productive and attractive green spaces.

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Published on 01/03/2013