Singing Gardening In the Rain

I spent part of my Saturday this weekend soaked wet volunteering on the rooftop garden at Bread for the City, helping transplant various plants and putting together raised planting beds. For those who may not be familiar with the work of the non-profit Bread for the City, it’s a comprehensive front line agency serving the district’s poor, providing those eligible with free food, clothing, social services, legal representation and medical care. They recently expanded their Northwest Center facility and are currently working on their latest project: opening one of the city’s largest rooftop garden right on top of their medical center and food pantry.

Bread for the City has partnered with DC Greenworks to turn their already green roof (ie one that is partially or completely covered with vegetation and soil) into one that will include an actual vegetable garden. Bread for the City serves an average of 10,000 D.C. residents every month so the food that will come out of the 30 raised beds will certainly not be enough to feed all of their clients. Instead, the non-profit is hoping to use the garden to teach workshop on nutrition and growing one’s food as well as spur dialogue about food sustainability.