Community Food Garden
Walk past the parking lot at the Bancroft Resilience Hub and you’ll find the San Leandro 2050 Community Food Garden: 20 raised beds lush with fresh produce nearly year-round, bordered by pollinator-friendly flowers and a row of fruit trees.
This small oasis is cared for by a community of gardeners from many different backgrounds who come together on weekends to share in the work as well as the harvest and to celebrate wholesome food, grown right here in San Leandro. The garden offers an abundance of fruits and vegetables, but just as importantly, it’s a place to make friends, learn from one another, and connect with nature. Join us and get your hands dirty!
New gardeners are always welcome, and there is no cost to participate!
Read more about the garden below or just stop by any Saturday, 10am-12pm!
What kind of food crops do you grow?
The vegetables, herbs and fruits we cultivate are as diverse as our community of gardeners, in fact, we decide together, as a group, what we might plant each season. We grow a great variety of vegetables. Our summer crops include tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, squash, beans, eggplant, and okra. Our winter crops include peas, broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, and fava beans. Year round we grow herbs, lettuce and other greens, beets, potatoes, onions and garlic. We also experiment with grains like amaranth, medicinal plants, and growing a variety of less common vegetables as we learn food traditions from different cultures. Each season brings new ideas and culinary experiences!
What gardening methods do you use?
We garden organically, focusing on healthy soil and water-wise practices. We make our own compost to amend the soil, plant seasonally, and use mulch to retain moisture and suppress weeds. Drip irrigation helps conserve water, and we avoid synthetic fertilizers and pesticides. Instead, we support beneficial insects with flowering native plants and use simple, hands-on methods to keep plants healthy and productive.
How do you distribute the harvest?
The work of tending the raised beds and fruit trees is shared by all gardeners, and so is the harvest. In most seasons, there’s plenty to go around—gardeners are welcome to take home what they need, with extra produce often shared with the wider community at the Bancroft Resilience Hub. Harvest time is also a highlight of the garden. We learn new skills—from shucking beans to threshing amaranth—swap recipes and sometimes prepare and share meals using freshly picked ingredients.
How do you organize the work?
We work as a team and share the entire garden. There are no individual beds. Each weekend we develop a task list and divide up the work among the participants based on abilities. All gardeners are welcome to take on leadership roles such as guiding special projects or organizing an event like a food prep demonstration or tasting.
How can people join? Are there any requirements?
Whether you’re new to gardening or have years of experience, you’re welcome at the community food garden. There is no cost to join. We simply ask that new gardeners are interested in being part of the community and participate in workdays when they’re able; we’re at the garden every Saturday from 10am–12pm and on Sundays during warmer months from 4:00pm–5:30pm.
Interested? We’d love to meet you—just stop by any Saturday between 10am–12pm.
How does the food garden help with climate change?
The garden helps in small but meaningful ways. Plants cool the space on hot days, and healthy soil stores carbon and holds water. Growing food locally adds a small, nearby source of fresh produce if supply chains are disrupted. Just as importantly, people build skills and connections, growing in care for the earth and each other, learning to share resources and support each other during challenging times.