Borrego Sun - Since 1949

Thanks to a generous grant from San Diego Foundation & the County of San Diego, BAI’s ArtPark Botanical Gardens will be able to proceed with an innovative program that will deliver not just healthy food but also education to families in Borrego Springs.

The Front Yard Food program is designed to build long-term solutions for growing and eating healthy foods by bringing gardens directly to the doorsteps of Borrego residents. The program allows residents to grow nutrient-rich, regenerative greens and produce at home by providing 2ft by 4ft food growing containers, soil, starters, education, and oversite.

“The program provides a fresh, local, sustainable food solution that empowers individuals in the community,” commented Wade Beane, ArtPark Director. “Rather than centralizing all growing in one location, the Front Yard Food program allows residents of Borrego to bring gardening to their homes where they can easily care for, and harvest produce because it is growing right outside their door.”

San Diego Foundation, in partnership with the County of San Diego, announced in early July that it awarded $5,563,500 in grants to 43 community-based organizations to help San Diegans experiencing food insecurity by supporting localized, sustainable food production and distribution throughout the region.

“Our partnership with the County of San Diego invests in long-term solutions that benefit community health and our environment while empowering community choice and food sovereignty in low-income communities and communities with limited access to healthy foods,” said Mark Stuart, President & CEO of San Diego Foundation.

“These grants recognize the depth and breadth of impact of our food system – whether it’s addressing food insecurity, improving nutrition or supporting local agriculture in our region.”

The 43 projects selected represent a wide breadth of nonprofit organizations in San Diego County, from grassroots, volunteer-led efforts to established countywide institutions. These projects provide regional and population-specific services to food-insecure seniors, students, Tribal communities, unsheltered, and refugee and immigrant residents of San Diego County.

“All of us at the Borrego Art Institute are honored to be selected for this important grant,” said Steve Fisher, BAI’s Executive Director.

“Wade and his dedicated team of ArtPark volunteers will now be able to help dozens of families learn basic agriculture skills on their own property, with their own brand-new equipment, and reap the rewards of fresh, organic, homegrown crops.”

For more information please visit: BorregoArtInstitute.org.