In the heart of St. Roch, nestled amidst the vibrant streets of New Orleans, lies a hidden gem known as Galvez Garden. This award winning community garden serves as a USDA People’s Garden, bringing together residents from all walks of life in a shared love for nature and sustainability. On Sunday in celebration of Earth Day, Galvez Garden played host to Love the Boot, Louisiana’s largest litter cleanup and beautification event, that showcases the power of community collaboration and environmental stewardship. Supported by the Governor and Lieutenant Governor, Love the Boot Week, happening April 18-24, 2022, is our state’s week-long Earth Day initiative intended to bring awareness to Louisiana’s litter problem while empowering organizations and individual citizens to participate in community cleanups and beautification events.

From the early hours of the morning, volunteers and neighbors descended upon Galvez Garden, ready to contribute or benefit from the food we harvest and share with the community. We also invited our families that participated in Budding Artists to stop by for the day to collect Community Outreach Jazz Fest tickets we received from the Jazz and Heritage Foundation. It was a delight to show the children our garden and parents were thrilled to have the opportunity to take their families to the festival.

Our event was held on the same day as our weekly compost collection for community members to contribute to the garden’s composting efforts. Residents arrived with bags of food scraps, eager to do their part in reducing waste and nourishing the soil. As the compost bins filled up, participants also had the chance to roll up their sleeves and get involved in the garden’s vegetable harvest. Neighbors walked through the rows of lush greenery, carefully selecting huge swiss chard, crisp lettuce, scallions and mustard greens to take home and enjoy. Everyone that dropped off food scraps was sent home with fresh vegetables picked on site.

But the day was not just about harvesting and composting; it was also about giving back to the garden that has given so much to the community. Armed with shovels and pruning shears, volunteers set to work tidying up the garden, pulling weeds, deadheading flowers, and planting to add more diversity to garden beds. With each bed attended to, volunteers breathed new life into Galvez Garden, ensuring that it remains a welcoming and vibrant space for all to enjoy.

Love the Boot at Galvez Garden was more than just a celebration of Earth Day; it was a testament to the power of community resilience and the beauty of collective action. Through their combined efforts, volunteers and community members demonstrated that even in the face of adversity, hope and positivity can bloom, much like the native plants that adorn Galvez Garden. As our third successful Love the Boot event came to a close, volunteers left behind a legacy of love for the land and a commitment to stewardship that will continue to flourish for years to come.

Special thanks to the Jazz and Heritage Foundation for their Community Outreach tickets to share with the families we serve.