How Portland's Community Gardens Are Feeding Food Deserts

In the Riverton neighborhood of Portland, Maine, there's no grocery store within a mile. For families without cars — and there are many — fresh produce might as well be on another planet. But three blocks from the nearest bus stop, something remarkable is growing: a community garden that produces over 5,000 pounds of vegetables each summer.

Cultivating Community, a Portland-based nonprofit, operates community farms and gardens across the city, with a specific focus on immigrant and refugee communities. Their model is simple but powerful: provide land, seeds, tools, and mentorship. Let people grow the foods that matter to them — not just generic "healthy options" but the culturally specific ingredients that make a meal feel like home.

The USDA estimates that 23.5 million Americans live in food deserts — areas where affordable, nutritious food is difficult to access. Portland's response has been to grow its way out. With year-round hoop houses extending the season, some gardens now produce food 10 months out of the year.

"When a Somali family can grow their own amaranth greens in Maine, that's food security in its truest form. It's not just calories — it's dignity, culture, and self-sufficiency."

The surplus from these gardens doesn't go to waste. Excess produce is donated to local food pantries through platforms like Pantry, where it's matched with families in need within hours. It's a virtuous cycle: gardens feed growers, surplus feeds neighbors, and everyone gains access to the fresh food that shouldn't be a luxury.

For Portland residents interested in getting involved, Cultivating Community accepts volunteers year-round and welcomes food donations of all kinds through their partner pantries.