Did you know that a large part of East Waco is considered by the USDA to be a ‘food desert?’ A food desert is an area where it is especially challenging to access high-quality, affordable, nutritious food. Folks who live in food deserts are significantly more likely to develop heart disease, obesity, diabetes, and a host of cardiovascular issues.
Kay Bell, a local expert community gardener, understands this issue well. Kay has been innovating in community-led gardening initiatives for decades in East Waco. She currently operates Passion Gardens, a three-acre farm that uses regenerative agricultural practices to sustainably grow produce, which she sells at the local Bridge St. farmer’s market. She is also the president of Waco’s chapter of the National Women in Agriculture Association, a civic group dedicated to promoting women’s participation and leadership in agricultural disciplines. Recently, Kay has also launched a new project: Global Revive. Global Revive is a group of local farmers and gardeners dedicated to bringing folks in Waco into a closer relationship with the food they eat. Global Revive operates community gardens on Taylor St. and Garrison St. in East Waco, hosts healthy eating demonstrations, and provides fresh grown produce for the community.
Kay connected with Grassroots’ community organizing team a year ago to begin a conversation about ways that we could expand the important work of Global Revive. Eventually, Grassroots partnered with Global Revive and our friends at the Waco Foundation to assist Kay in applying for an Immediate Impact Grant to plant a new Global-Revive operated community garden on Clifton St. To complement the construction of new gardens, Global Revive partnered with JH Hines Elementary’s Afterschool program to host students who learned about sustainable agriculture at the gardens. Global Revive also held healthy cooking classes using produce from the new gardens on-site and at local community centers. Produce from the garden is distributed to community members during giveaway days and through partnerships with other local nonprofits.
We’re tremendously grateful to Kay and the team at Global Revive for their hard work to bring nutritious, accessible food to our neighbors in East Waco! Global Revive is a wonderful example of the power of community in building thriving neighborhoods.