Genesee County residents are improving their health, reducing their weekly grocery bill and transforming their neighborhoods by creating urban gardens in both their own yards and on neighboring vacant lots.
The movement to utilize urban properties to produce food is growing nationally, and Genesee County is right in step. The fourth annual “edible flint Food Garden Tour” on Thursday, August 9, 2012 will offer a close-up look at innovative and inspiring food gardens in the Flint area.
Most participants will be transported to the garden sites by bus and a bike route is available for those who prefer cycling. The tour is free and open to the public. Last year’s garden tour attracted more than 300 participants.
Check-in and food for the tour will begin at 4:30pm at the Flint Farmers’ Market, 420 East Boulevard Drive. Buses and bicycles will begin departing by 5:30pm. Everyone on the tour will be given a light meal made from locally-produced delicacies.
Tour participants will meet local food producers, including some who are growing food year round and raising bees and chickens. They will also see, firsthand, how local residents of all ages are transforming community concerns, such as vacant land, into valuable neighborhood assets. With more than 12,000 vacant residential lots in Flint alone, residents now have more opportunities than ever to turn available properties into productive places.
Immediately following the tour, members of edible flint will host an after-glow with live music and dessert at the Flint Farmers’ Market. The tour is recommended for participants ages twelve and older. The entire evening is free, though donations are welcome and each participant must register in advance. Donations will be used to support the Food Garden Tour.
To register for the bus or bike tour use this link www.edibleflint.org. For additional information contact Deb Hamilton at (810) 244-8547 or at foodgardentour@edibleflint.org. Download the “edible flint Food Garden Tour” poster here.
About edible flint
edible flint is a network of individuals and organizations unified by the mission, “to support Flint residents in growing and accessing healthy food in order to reconnect with the land and each other.” edible flint formed in 2009 and since then has hosted three Food Garden Tours, collectively sold produce through the edible flint Co-op at the Flint Farmers’ Market, offered introductory classes on urban food gardening, completed an assessment of some food vendors in the City of Flint by youth, and has distributed Garden Starter kits and services. For more information on edible flint contact Terry McLean at (810) 244-8530 or info@edibleflint.org.
