Laredo garden initiative receives $15K to combat food shortages

LAREDO, Tex. (KGNS) – A local urban agriculture organization has received $15,000 from CenterPoint Energy to expand community gardening efforts in response to recent food shortages and economic challenges.

The Laredo Center for Urban Agriculture and Sustainability (LCUAS) received funding for its “Seeds of Growth” program, which teaches residents how to grow their own food. The initiative operates alongside the historical Canseco House garden on Chihuahua St.

“It’s going to bring a lot of seeds, and we’re going to be able to buy different seeds and teach the people how to cultivate and grow here. We’re also going to bring more people in the community together, so we’re definitely excited for this new partnership,” said Jose Garcia, director of LCUAS.

Garcia said the program addresses food access issues in Downtown Laredo, which he described as a food desert following the closure of the area’s HEB store.

“Here, towards downtown, it’s a food desert. We don’t have a food source where people can go. We used to have an HEB downtown; unfortunately, it closed. So for us, we want to teach the people, that way they can have a food source,” Garcia said.

The director said the initiative has become more relevant during the recent government shutdown and economic uncertainty. “Unfortunately, with everything going on right now with the government and economy, we didn’t foresee that, but yes, we can definitely adapt and help people as well as prepare for the future,” Garcia said.

LCUAS plans to involve students in the program, teaching them how to grow and maintain secondary food sources. The $15,000 donation will fund seeds and plants for distribution to continue the program’s expansion.

Mario Salinas, Operations Manager for CenterPoint Energy, said the company supports year-round community assistance efforts.

“We’re just excited to help the community and assist the Laredo Center for Agricultural and Sustainability program in order to help continue assisting the Laredo community with its needs and with our food shortages in Laredo. We’re excited to be a part of that organization and assist in any way we can,” Salinas said.

Volunteers can be seen planting and maintaining the garden alongside the Canseco House. For more information, you can visit the LCUAS website.

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