BRIDGEPORT

After developing strong resources and know-how in surrounding towns, GVI turned its attention to Bridgeport in the summer of 2010.  Our goal for the next three years is to install 30 edible school gardens, build 2-3 significant production gardens on City owned land and school property, and then launch inner-city community-owned businesses.  The gardens are the first step in forging local partnerships and building expertise and credibility.  GVI believes it is important to partner with local residents and community-based organizations in order to create successful projects that endure.

We have the support of Bridgeport Mayor Bill Finch and the Bridgeport Public School administrators, including Maura O’Malley, the director of Food and Nutrition for the Bridgeport Public Schools.  We are partnering with Builders Beyond Borders, Groundwork Bridgeport, Public Allies and a newly established educational program called Cook and Grow.  In addition, we involve a team of dedicated, passionate teachers and administrators at each school where we commit to build a garden.  Those educators are supported by a group of GVI Master Gardeners and the Groundwork Bridgeport Green Team, with whom we are partnering as a resource for ongoing garden care and maintenance.

Bridgeport is a relatively small, densely populated city, encompassing only 16 square miles with a population of nearly 140,000. The median household income in 2010 was $34,600 compared with $67,000 for the rest of Connecticut, and $50,000 for the United States as a whole. The addition of edible school gardens and the future construction of larger production gardens is in synergy with the City of Bridgeport’s B Green 2020 Sustainability Initiative. Edible gardens relate to so many important concepts needed in Bridgeport – health, food justice, employment, reconnecting kids with the environment, etc.  Our goal is to encourage students and adults alike to experience the value of fresh, locally grown produce in order to create and nurture lifelong healthy eating habits.  We believe that one of the best ways to encourage children to eat more vegetables is to have them involved with growing their own.  We are installing gardens in schools where there are none, so the gardens provide the teachers with a new opportunity to teach and discuss the wide range of these important issues.