A community garden under construction in downtown Spartanburg will teach local residents about healthy eating.
The Spartanburg Area Chamber of Commerce’s Leadership Spartanburg class of 2016 and the Spartanburg County Foundation recently broke ground on the garden.
It is at 150 S. Church St. in a vacant lot owned by the city between A Arrangement Florist and the Nautilus Fitness Center. The site will be managed by the Hub City Farmer’s Market.
“The Spartanburg County Foundation is pleased to be partnered with the garden to promote health, wellness and nutrition throughout our community,” said Troy Hanna, president and CEO of The Spartanburg County Foundation, in a statement. “The Spartanburg County Foundation Community Garden will not only produce nutritious foods but will also serve as an educational opportunity to promote healthy lifestyles.”
The garden is a result of the Spartanburg Chamber’s Leadership class’s service project, which was aimed at making a long-term impact on the well-being of the community.
The chamber said the project came to fruition through a team of 30 class participants and a variety of public-private partnerships.
“We hope to provide a place that people from all walks of life – from the educational world, to folks who live downtown, to families who don’t have access to healthy food options – can enjoy and use,” said Martin Huff, Leadership project lead and development manager with Spartanburg-based Johnson Development Associates.
According to the chamber, the garden will be planted, cultivated and harvested by residents, who will rent garden plots, share ideas and gardening tips, as well as recipes and community pride.
“The Hub City Farmers Market is thrilled to be a part of the new community garden on Church Street,” said Caroline Sexton, executive director of the Hub City Farmers Market. “Situated in the heart of downtown Spartanburg, this garden highlights the importance that our city places on healthy eating and active living. It is our hope that the garden will bring together a diverse group of downtown Spartanburg residents to live and learn about food and gardening in a community setting.”
Volunteers from the Leadership class will build the garden during the next few months. The garden is anticipated to open this fall.
For more information, contact Sexton at csexton@hubcityfm.org.
