It’s a little-known secret, but a little patch of ground just behind the Marbles Recreation Center has been producing fresh produce for the last five years.
For lack of a better name, it’s called the Marbles Community Garden and has been a source of fresh, healthy produce and a youth teaching tool since its inception in 2019.
Founded by local residents Sam Tennessee, Lonnie Peters, and Carl Pickens, the garden has flourished over the years, providing a diverse array of vegetables to the community; not much, but youth who watch the process get the idea that food doesn’t grow in cans or in grocery stores.
While many youth are sports-oriented, some are fascinated with community gardens. This summer, several youths from the Black Tie Guys Youth Mentoring organization will learn about gardening as volunteers, and care for the small garden under the watchful eye of veteran gardeners.
This year’s spring and summer garden boasts a bountiful harvest of bell peppers, jalapeños, banana peppers, cucumbers, eggplants, squash, zucchini, okra, tomatoes, watermelons, honeydew melons, and cantaloupe.
As the seasons change, the fall and winter gardens will showcase a variety of greens, including mustard greens, turnip greens, collard greens, and cabbage.
The primary goal of the Marbles Community Garden is to inspire the community to embrace healthy eating habits by providing access to fresh, locally-grown vegetables and educating youth about living off the land.
“We wanted to create a space where people could come together, learn about gardening, and enjoy the fruits of their labor,” said Roy Coleman, a Marbles Center employee.
Others who work with the garden project are: Author Hayes, and Vernetta Haywood.
The Marbles Community Garden is part of a growing trend of community gardens emerging across the United States. According to the American Community Gardening Association, there are an estimated 18,000 community gardens throughout the country, with numbers continually on the rise.
Community gardens provide numerous benefits beyond access to fresh produce. They promote social interaction, foster a sense of community, and provide educational opportunities for individuals to learn about sustainable gardening practices. Additionally, community gardens can help alleviate food insecurity in underserved areas, often referred to as “food deserts,” where access to fresh, healthy food options is limited.
“It’s been amazing to see how the garden has brought people together,” said co-founder Lonnie Peters. “We hope to continue expanding the garden and inspiring more people to get involved.”
