Oakland, CA

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2021

Project Category: Community Gardens

Description: During the COVID-19 pandemic, community gardens became critical, allowing residents of Oakland and the East Bay to meet and connect with neighbors and grow healthy food. However, many community gardens lacked amenities that made them accessible for people of all ages. To close this gap, Habitat for Humanity East Bay/Silicon Valley added needed amenities for gardens throughout the region. By installing three picnic tables, four tool sheds, five Adirondack chairs, ten garden benches and more 30 garden stools, Habitat for Humanity was able to revitalize well-loved gardens and ensure more residents could access fresh produce locally.

St. George, AK

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2022

Project Category: Community Gardens

Description: To help increase food security and overall livability in St. George, the Aleutian Pribilof Islands Association renovated its greenhouse. In additional to providing a place to grow produce, the greenhouse doubles as a community gathering space.

Stamford, CT

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2020

Project Category: Community Gardens

Description: To make Fairgate Farm more accessible for people of all ages and abilities, project organizers extended an existing ADA-compliant crushed stone walkway leading from the farm's entrance to its market. They also made gathering at the farm more comfortable by installing picnic tables, benches, a bike rack and raised gardening beds. The urban garden and community gathering space on Stamford's West Side hosts programming for community members, from cooking demos to gardening workshops and cooking classes. Fairgate Farm attracts volunteers from across the community, who grow and distribute more than 5,000 pounds of organic fruits and vegetables each year. The produce is then donated to low-income volunteers, their families and local hunger relief charities.