Victory Garden to remain in place until November!

September 1, 2008

As the sun sets on the fourth and final day of Slow Food Nation, we’re thrilled to announce that the Slow Food Nation Victory Garden will remain in place on the lawn of San Francisco City Hall until November. The garden, which has been producing substantial amounts of fresh produce and supplied some of the food for this weekend’s events, has received tremendous support from Mayor Gavin Newsom and the city. Most everyone who has come down to witness the beauty and bounty of the garden has voiced their desires to see this project become a permanent symbol of San Francisco’s progressive position on food, farming, and social justice.

“By all accounts, this has been a wonderful installation for the city and has been a highly visible demonstration of our commitment to the issues embodied in how our food system operates,” said Mayor Newsom. “From protecting the environment, to supporting our local and regional economy, to ensuring we can provide access to wholesome, nutritious food for all San Franciscans, the Victory Garden has given us a powerful platform from which to make the case for more good, clean and fair food in this country.”

If you haven’t visited the garden yet, please do! The corn is high, the squash are mature, and the California native wildflowers are in full bloom.

Images: jrodmanjr and Sarah Rich

Sarah Rich is an editor at Dwell magazine, where she specializes in sustainable design and architecture. She was the managing editor of the Slow Food Nation blog leading up to the inaugural 2008 event in San Francisco. She was also the managing editor and co-author of the book Worldchanging: A User's Guide for the 21st Century (Abrams, 2006). Sarah lives in the Mission district of San Francisco where fog is scarce and tacos are not. Read more >

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Abe Abuhilal
September 2, 2008
good job Thank you
jeff-nhn
September 2, 2008
Awesome pictures and project! I hope the enthusiasm stays high for many years.
edibleoffice
September 2, 2008
What's the possibility of the garden staying at Civic Center permanently (or for a full year to start)? Who would we contact to encourage this? Gavin?
Marilynn Rowland
September 2, 2008
I'm so glad this beautiful and bountiful garden will not be torn out, but left until November. But why tear it out then? This can be a proud symbol that SF is walking the walk instead of talking the talk. I'm sure Gavin Newsom and the city of SF and the Slow Food Nation can figure out some way to fund this and see that it is the glory of Civic Center, and not a blight of a weed patch. I'm hoping they can get the homeless to work in the gardens and benefit from its harvest. Alice Waters took on the public schools, now it's time for her to take on the homeless.
Rachel Weidinger
September 2, 2008
Delighted that the garden will remain for longer! Has funding been secured to pay the hard working people that pulled off this feat for another two months? Sustainable gardens will hopefully also pay workers.

To those who are excited about permanency, remember there's a concrete sidewalk under those plants, and a parking garage beneath that. Permanent is a big project...but replanting those decorative flowerbeds with edible plants might be much more achievable.
Darci Pauser
September 3, 2008
Let us continue to utilize urban space in creative and innovative ways. I would certainly like to see some takeover of land relegated for motor vehicles (streets/overly-large parking lots) as well.
Green Bean
September 6, 2008
Like other commenters, I would love to see this Victory Garden become a permanent fixture. What a message it sends out to the rest of the world! I was damn proud to be a local when I walked through it during Slow Food Nation.
Anna Dunn
September 9, 2008
I love the garden. It is a force of nature and urbanity. I would like to know more about where the food is going, who is picking etc. Can someone direct me to this information? Great job!
Ryan Arthurs
September 30, 2008
If people are interested in learning more about the Victory Garden project please check out Amy Franceschini's recent publication, "Victory Gardens 2007+" produced by Gallery 16 Editions. It is a fantastic book and deserves attention.

Available through Small Press Distribution and Gallery 16 for $25. www.gallery16.com

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