Alcohol Justice (AJ)
Parking Lot Greening Project

This summer, the Alcohol Justice staff underwent several planning meetings to begin designing and transforming the office’s parking lot into an Urban Community Garden. From security to available sunlight, there were various factors to take into consideration as this project launched. The Parking lot Greening Project is currently taking place, with the infrastructure changes to be completed this winter.
The Greening Project will provide over six large garden beds to support local food growing efforts. Alcohol Justice youth programs will participate in helping to complete the garden beds and will have a designated plot where they will oversee their own crops. Youth will have the opportunity to grow their own produce and then incorporate this produce into meals made in the AJ community kitchen space. Through the development of this urban garden, the AJ team hopes to enhance food security with Canal residents paired with education, resources and opportunities for families and youth who are interested in learning how to grow their own food. The team also hopes to increase their education efforts specific to nutrition, food, gardening, and even water usage to provide not only the materials and space to engage in these topics but also learning spaces to allow participants to create positive changes in their life and their community.