Bridgeport Early Learning Centers Launch Urban Gardening Program to Tackle Food Insecurity and Promote Sustainability,three preschools in Bridgeport, Connecticut, have transformed previously unused spaces into vibrant, productive gardens. Spearheaded by youth food advocate Zane Tickoo, Jessica Rosario from Groundwork Bridgeport, and Diego Osses from the Green Village Initiative (GVI), these gardens are not only cultivating fresh food, but also fostering educational opportunities, community engagement, and environmental stewardship. The gardens are designed to serve as both living classrooms and community hubs in urban areas that struggle with limited access to nutritious and fresh food.
Bridgeport, one of Connecticut’s largest cities, faces a persistent challenge with food insecurity. Over 30% of its residents are affected by food insecurity, a rate far above the national average. For families in food-insecure areas, the lack of access to fresh produce, affordable groceries, and quality nutrition is a significant concern. The Bridgeport Early Learning Center Garden Initiative was developed to address these pressing issues by introducing young children to gardening and healthy eating from a young age. It aims to provide not only food literacy but also environmental education, helping to shape the next generation of environmentally conscious and health-aware citizens.
A Growing Need in Bridgeport
The Bridgeport Early Learning Center Garden Initiative is particularly focused on preschools,Food Insecurity where young minds can be introduced to the fundamentals of food production, sustainability, and the environment. By involving children in the act of gardening, the project helps instill a sense of responsibility and curiosity about food, its origins, and the importance of taking care of the environment. The goal is to equip children with the tools they need to become informed consumers who understand the value of locally grown, healthy food.
One of the primary objectives of this initiative is to combat food insecurity in Bridgeport. Access to fresh food in urban neighborhoods can often be limited by economic constraints, lack of transportation, and the absence of full-service grocery stores. This creates so-called “food deserts,” areas where healthy, affordable food is scarce. The garden initiative aims to bridge this gap by using urban space creatively to cultivate fresh Food Insecurity , while simultaneously teaching children and their families the importance of nutritious eating.
Transforming Urban Spaces into Gardens
Each of the participating preschools has faced its own set of challenges in adapting their outdoor spaces into productive gardens. Bright Giggles Learning Center, for example, transformed a sunny Food Insecurity corner of its playground into a thriving garden,Food Insecurity filled with raised beds that allow children to learn hands-on about gardening. At Hall Neighborhood House, the team installed rain barrels and hexagonal garden beds on rubber flooring, ensuring sustainability and ease of maintenance while offering children an opportunity to explore environmental conservation. Precious Memories Early Education Center took on the challenge of limited green space, choosing to install hexagonal garden beds directly on concrete, making the most of the available area.
These adaptations required creativity and resourcefulness, but the results have been transformative. “These gardens have brightened our space and expanded our students’ horizons,” said Sandrie Blanc, Director of Bright Giggles Learning Center. “Our children now look forward to watering plants and observing growth—it’s brought curiosity and care into their daily routine. They are learning that food doesn’t just come from a store, but from the earth, and it’s an exciting process to watch.”
Collaboration and Support
The initiative’s success is a direct result of the collaborative efforts of local organizations, educators, and community members. Funding from the Newman’s Own Foundation, provided through the Green Village Initiative (GVI), supported the technical design and setup of the garden spaces. Zane Tickoo, a youth food advocate, played a pivotal role in the development of the SEEDS Teacher Training Workshop, which provides educators with the tools and resources they need to integrate gardening and food education into their preschool curricula. Tickoo’s vision for the project extends beyond just the physical gardens, emphasizing the need to “plant seeds of connection” between children, their families, and the environment.
Groundwork Bridgeport,Food Insecurity an organization dedicated to revitalizing urban spaces and improving the quality of life in the city, was instrumental in the construction and continued support of the gardens. Jessica Rosario, Youth Programs Coordinator at Groundwork Bridgeport, emphasized the broader goal of the project. “By teaching young people not only about food but also about their ability to create change, we’re giving them the tools to help build healthier, more sustainable communities. This initiative empowers children to think critically about their surroundings and their impact on the world.”
Diego Osses, the Executive Director of Green Village Initiative, shared his perspective on the broader implications of the garden project. “These gardens show how overlooked spaces can be transformed into vibrant, purposeful areas within the city. The project is about much more than just gardening—it’s about demonstrating how small changes in urban environments can lead to lasting, positive impacts on local communities.”
Fostering Community Connections
One of the most significant impacts of the Bridgeport Early Learning Center Garden Initiative has been the way it has brought families together. The gardens are not just educational spaces for children—they also serve as gathering points for families to connect with one another. Children excited about their garden projects often share their enthusiasm with their parents, sparking conversations at home about healthy eating and sustainable practices.
“Our garden has become more than a learning space; it’s bringing families together,” said Hector Burgos, Early Learning Director at Hall Neighborhood House. “Children are sharing their excitement about gardening at home, sparking conversations about healthy eating and the importance of growing our own Food Insecurity . It’s amazing to see how this project has opened up a dialogue between families and fostered a deeper understanding of nutrition and sustainability.”
The gardens have already impacted over 500 families in Bridgeport, providing fresh produce and promoting connections between schools and the surrounding community. The initiative’s success has led to plans for expansion to additional preschools, with the goal of reaching 1,000 families in the near future. Future developments include the addition of water conservation systems to the gardens and the exploration of new urban spaces, such as rooftops, to expand the network of sustainable gardens throughout the city.
Expanding the Vision: Creating a Network of Sustainable Gardens
Looking forward, the Bridgeport Food Insecurity Early Learning Center Garden Initiative plans to continue expanding its reach. Food Insecurity The vision is to create a network of sustainable gardens throughout the city that can serve as both educational spaces and community hubs. Future projects will incorporate water conservation systems and explore alternative spaces, such as rooftops, that can help maximize the use of urban areas for food production.
The initiative challenges the notion that food deserts must remain barren and underserved. By creatively utilizing urban spaces and involving children in gardening, it presents a new vision for cities—one where food literacy, environmental stewardship, and sustainability education grow side by side. These gardens are more than just sources of food; they are places where the future of Bridgeport can bloom, nurtured by the young minds who are learning to take care of both their health and their environment.
In the face of urban food insecurity, the Bridgeport Early Learning Center Garden Initiative offers hope—a model for other cities to follow in transforming underutilized spaces into productive, vibrant centers of education, sustainability, and community connection. Through the continued support of local organizations, educators, and community members, this initiative is helping to plant the seeds for a brighter, healthier future in Bridgeport.
