Village Gardens (a semi-autonomous program of Janus Youth) makes it possible for people living in Oregon’s largest affordable housing neighborhoods to grow their own food, gain employment through locally created food projects and have access to a community-run grocery store. Its community is culturally rich–its 3,000+ residents are from 22 countries of origin and speak 17 different languages–and economically under-resourced, with 98% of residents living below the federal poverty line and 95% of elementary school students qualifying for free lunch. Village Gardens’ staff work alongside community leaders to create new initiatives that promote both economic and food resilience. RWN Foundation support helped Village Gardens to launch Neighbor-to-Neighbor Veggie Boxes (N2N), a pilot project connecting neighborhood-grown produce to low-income households and families.

 

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