NATIONAL CITY, December 22, 2017 – When National City Council unanimously voted to grant oversight of Old Town National City’s first community garden to Mundo Gardens this week, residents rejoiced. Mundo Gardens, a neighborhood garden program, cultivates wellness and empowers youth and families by combining nature, music and art. According to leaders with National City-based Environmental Health Coalition (EHC), working with the local program will keep the garden true to its community roots.
“We’ve searched for the right garden operator for a long time,” said National City resident Ted Godshalk. “We applaud City Council for listening and choosing our own Mundo Gardens to manage this milestone for our neighborhood. We can truly call our garden National City grown.”
Since 2005, residents have expressed the need for access to fresh, healthy food and natural space owned and operated for the community, by the community. The garden, soon to be located on the north side of Paradise Creek Park near Kimball Elementary School, aligns with the community’s vision for a healthy neighborhood.
“For the people of National City, this is much more than a garden,” says Sandy Naranjo, EHC National City policy advocate. “The partnership with Mundo Gardens represents our community identity and our sustained effort to bring environmental justice to our home. In a place that ranks among the top five percent of communities in California most impacted by pollution, a locally owned and operated garden embodies our hope for a healthier future.”
National City Council will finalize the implementation agreement with Mundo Gardens on January 16, 2018. The garden is expected to open in the summer of 2019.
To learn more about Environmental Health Coalition, please visit http://www.environmentalhealth.org.
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ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH COALITION: Founded in 1980, Environmental Health Coalition (EHC) builds grassroots campaigns to confront the unjust consequences of toxic pollution, discriminatory land use and unsustainable energy policies. Visit us online at http://www.environmentalhealth.org.