Community garden planned for ‘food desert’ of north Baton Rouge

One unhealthy aspect of north Baton Rouge, particularly in the 70805 ZIP code area, is the dearth of grocery stores and fresh produce. In an effort to address the situation, this so-called food desert is getting planted with fruit trees and blueberry bushes on Arbor Day, the third Friday in January in Louisiana. Baton Rouge Green is using a major portion of a $28,000 grant from ExxonMobil to plant a variety of trees, including satsuma and peach, near the new homes of Urban Gardens, an affordable-housing project just north of Hollywood Street at the corner of Amarillo Street and Breckenridge Avenue. There are currently nine homes built in Urban Gardens—seven are sold or under contract—and five more will be built next year. The development plan calls for a total of 21 homes eventually. The community is being built on the old grounds of Hollywood Elementary School; the garden is being planted on a lot owned by King’s Children Ministry. “And the church evidently had a little garden on this property several years ago, so they’re very excited about getting this garden going again,” says Diane Losavio, Baton Rouge Green executive director. Losavio says a meeting will take place in early January to go over plans for the community garden, which could include the planting of vegetables and other fruit plants this spring. The Urban Restoration Enhancement Corp. is leading the construction of Urban Gardens in partnership with the Louisiana Housing Corp., Foundation for Louisiana, and Whitney Bank. —Adam Pearson