Community Garden Planted at Rancho San Pedro Public Housing Development

The Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles (HACLA), joined Triscuit and Urban Farming to celebrate the ground breaking of a new community garden at Rancho San Pedro on Thursday, September 1, 2011. HACLA and the Rancho San Pedro community members were joined by former Commissioner Diane Middleton, the Port of Los Angeles Director Geraldine Knatz, Ph.D., Irving Pacheco from Senator Ted Leiu’s office, and others for a ribbon cutting ceremony.

This community garden is part of an ongoing initiative by HACLA, Triscuit and Urban Farming to plant 65 fresh vegetable community gardens in 20 cities across the country. The gardens are being implemented as a solution to a challenge faced by many Americans living in low-income areas:  a lack of access to fresh food. The Rancho San Pedro garden is one of two community gardens at low income housing facilities in Los Angeles, with the second ground breaking to take place at Ramona Gardens on September 12, 2011. In addition to collaborating with HACLA, Triscuit has planted four other fresh vegetable gardens in the Los Angeles area.

Various community members of all ages were excited for the chance to beautify the area and engage in something positive for the community. Additionally, community volunteers were given a gardening tutorial, gloves and bags as a courtesy of the San Pedro Home Depot.
 
 
 
Photos: Housing Services Director Sanford Riggs, Resident Services Manager Joel Lopez, Irving Pacheco from Senator Ted Lieu's office, Resident Advisory Council members, guests, at ribbon-cutting, guests walking around the gardens, Housing Services Director Sanford Riggs presenting a certificate to Marijane Mader, Urban Farming Master Gardener, kids of Rancho San Pedro public housing development.