Urban Agriculture
Our Urban Agriculture work grew out of tenants' and community members' desire for fresh produce and to fight systemic food inequity in our community. Facing a history of systemic underinvestment and structural racism, neighborhoods with less money and largely composed of Black and Brown people, like the Tenderloin, have had intentionally limited access to nutritious foods, which in turn harms people's physical and mental health. You can learn more about how to dismantle racism in farming and food access here.
We're working with our neighbors to change that.
By building rooftop gardens and urban farms like the TNDC Tenderloin People's Garden and Webster Street People's Garden, our community is building a more equitable food system and fostering a space for connection. Having fresh produce grown on your own roof or down the street and by your own hands provides a sense of self-reliance and empowerment. It means access to important nutrients for the body and mind which in turn means better health overall.
Urban farms are also a space for connection and personal growth. Many tenants and community members come to the soil for solitude, healing, and a sense of well-being.
Our Urban Agriculture team works closely with other departments like Community Organizing to host community events and Housing Development to integrate urban farming into new buildings.
Urban Agriculture is guided by Harm-Reduction and Trauma-Informed models, principles of Cultural Humility (see Our Approach), and the TNDC values of Collaboration, Equity, Excellence, Inclusion, and Integrity. The team is a core part of our Health & Wellness program housed in the Tenant & Community Services Department.
