The Manguinhos neighborhood of Rio de Janeiro was once a polluted and dangerous area, but thanks to community efforts, the area is now a thriving vegetable garden that feeds 800 families in the city.
Made up of 300 beds and the size of four soccer fields, the community garden is one of the largest in Latin America. Called Hortas Cariocas, meaning Carioca Vegetable Gardens, the garden initiative was launched in 2006, and employs dozens of local farmworkers while providing nutritious and affordable food to local residents. Although the Manguinhos garden is the largest, Hortas Cariocas has started 40 similar smaller gardens around Rio de Janeiro. The garden also helps prevent flooding and landslides which the region is prone to.
Inflation is a serious issue in Brazil, making reliable fresh food even more essential for low-income families. Moving forwards, the organizers plan to continue to expand and place more community gardens in neighborhoods in need around the city.
