Alton Park includes nearly 4,700 people, but no grocery store.
“We have equal food access issues,” said Falice Haire, community liaison for the Alton Park Development Corp. “Community members have to travel distances by bus, by taxi or by foot to get to the grocery store.”
To help with the issue, neighborhood residents and Bunge Edible Oils planted an Alton Park community garden last week to improve residents’ access to produce. Even if the squash, tomatoes, greens, peppers and strawberries planted don’t to fill all the need, it’s a start, Mrs. Haire said.
“It gives a sense of visible accomplishment,” she said.
Bunge Safety Manager Matt Joyner nailed a garden bed together Tuesday while other company employees worked with residents to place coverings that keep weeds out of the vegetable bed.