Photo courtesy of Temple Shalom.
Temple Shalom is set to celebrate the opening of its new urban farm with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Sunday, Dec. 10.
The Justice Garden is a partnership between People’s Garden, aiming to grow fresh and healthy fruits and vegetables to combat food insecurity in the city. Dallas is one of the 17 urban hubs in the nation. The project began in 2021 and expanded this year with a $74,999 grant from the United States Department of Agriculture.
The garden spans 12,100 square feet and includes 56 raised garden beds and eight no-bend beds. The garden features four pillars representing education, ecology, wellness and food justice.
The garden collaborates with the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and community organizations dedicated to food security.
Dallas ranks as the fourth-highest in the nation for food insecurity among children, according to the North Texas Food Bank. The USDA annual study indicates that an average of 15.5% of households in Texas lack consistent access to affordable and healthy food, which is 4% higher than the country’s average.
The urban garden is in memory of Joan and Chuck Cera, previous members of Temple Shalom.
The garden dedication will feature remarks from NRCS spokespersons, and the opening day will include various garden activities.
