Incredible Edible Public Park Helps to Feed 200,000 People Every Month

[Mazdarx82012]

do they have grape vines

[leptalbldgs]

"Why are the people not eating these greens?" you asked. Well maybe it's not because they're ignorant of where food comes from, but because they recognize that THEY DON'T OWN those greens. Maybe you would "be munching on these greens", but they have a moral compass that you seem to be lacking. "Oh, look at me, I'm so enlightened that I would just walk by any garden and help myself to the fruits of their labor."

[Erella]

Look at the top of this screen and the title of this clip. It says every month but he says every year. The point of the clip is wonderful. I wanted you to correct/edit the title.

[Erella]

Feed 200,000 People Every Month? Is there an error? Maybe you mean every year, which is still significant.



[jayneb520]

@Erella He did say every year.

[TheHobbsicle]

For a second, I thought they meant marijuana edibles.... :(

[eatmyfruit]

Great video, Great ideas.

RON PAUL 2012!

Be part of the revolution!

[GreenAnCom]

Best channel on youtube! You deserve 10x more views.

[inremembranceofruth]

and offered in restaurants (even the most health-conscious of ones)? We are incredibly obsessed with diet-related books and magazines, gyms and a myriad of toss-away exercise equipment, and so much more - when the simplest of solutions is right in front of us. I appreciate the remarks/concerns about growing conditions such as those at this site. Yet, we have so industrialized and polluted our living environments, we now have to start where we are...and in ways that we can?

[inremembranceofruth]

Isn't it funny(?) how we as a modern-day society have come to think that virtually everything is more significant/important than growing healthful food for ourselves and each other? And, isn't it further odd that more of us than not hardly regard fresh fruit and vegetables - the freshest and most nutrient-dense possible - as being particularly desirable or worthy in contrast to that which is processed (in boxes, cans, plastic, bottles, etc.), served as 'fast food...

[mozaikadezign]

this is wonderful, however, are the plants sprayed with chemicals or controlled with insects (like ladybugs), also, is there GM plants in there? One more thing that bothered me, the power lines above, that is a massive magnetic field leaking dirty electricity into the plants, stand there with a fluroescent light bulb and it will light all by itself because fo the leakage.

[slang500]

@mozaikadezign we can only do so much! gotta just do the best we can, if we try to do things perfectly, nothing will ever get done! Enjoy it!

[badeedlehopper]

This is very inspiring! Thanks.

If we can increasingly grow our food at home (or in our parks, like here), then we don't need to use so much fossil fuel -- and all the global warming it brings on.

[FreidasGarden]

It's a city project that the city counsel voted on.

[GryFyGuy]

Wow looking at the comments, John has a lot of fans (including me) in South OC. I have a monthly meeting/meetup in the area and I am at the Great Park Farmers market every Sunday encouraging people to grow your food yourself. I'm going to add two more meetups in Feb and March so GYG fans can get together if interested.

[FreidasGarden]

@GryFyGuy Hi there fellow OC neighbor. What do you sell at the farmers market. I've never been there but I hear it's pretty awesome. Been meaning to show up at one of the gardening talks.

[thelarkinn2]

My husband and I lived across the street from this park for 5 years. He didn't know but they do grow other things besides greens and broccoli - I have seen corn,tomatoes and peppers being grown. In So Cal the growing season is all year long so different vegies are grown at different times. I have seen groups with kids working -they are doing some education.I agree there should be signage for the different vegies being grown -especially when the plants are small. Cudos to Irvine!

[nioonmaui]

great project. wish john wouldn't have been so critical so often in the segment. I'd be concerned more about the electrical lines than second guessing planting decisions or leaving edible parts of plants in the field.

[MrCMFields]

I think this is a great idea, but I'm curious to know who supplied the materials needed and the seeds? The irrigation system had to cost a bit and a lot of cities just cannot afford to do this in this economy (even though it's a great idea).

[flowerbudz32]

nice action ,now all i need is a big land my city can loan me and i would start this. But i can't imagine the city doing something like this if they don't pull out a single $

[Albqrabbit]

pria114, my understanding is any sodium is bad, and all the homemade soap recipes I found had online had sodium-containing ingredients.

[CreateYourHealth]

This is awesome! I'm creating an urban orchard in my neighborhood! We have a 3.5' x 150' strip of land that we're planting a citrus orchard and meadow in! We'll be getting 18 different citrus trees lined up in a row. The goal is to provide food for the neighbors and beautify a blighted area that gets covered in graffiti. Thanks for the inspiration!

[averyhappywoman]

I want to do this in Vegas!!! Anyone with me? ;)

[lunadrinksmutea]

Brilliant idea! It would be interesting to see some statistics on how well used it actually is and I think there's a good point made about the need for more information signs to encourage people to harvest those gorgeous greens. I understand the concerns of some of the commenters but on the whole this is GOOD and deserves nurturing. Well done!

[FreidasGarden]

@lunadrinksmutea Statistics from a city project. lol You could call the City of Irvine and probably get them. I bet they will be very truthful. lol

[beatnickblanket]

maaaaaybe cycle the phrase 'in my opinion' out of your vernacular, sugar. Otherwise very informative. <3

[keyanage]

lol it doesnt come from the grocery store it comes from mother earth and the ground

[qualqui]

AWESOME Idea John,...an Incredible, Edible Park,....the municipal authorities here have recently created some nice garden space here in the city center but no edibles,...it would've been way better for them to plant veggies and fruit trees but no, people still keen on having these green luxurious gardens, food for the mind but not the body, in terms of nourishment. Thumbs up John!! =)

[kriztofff]

Amazing idea !

[bab8649]

Why is this garden planted under power lines? That is dangerous.....they tell people not to live under them....what does that do to the food....you better do some research before you act like this is such a great deal....move to a saver place.

[saberur66]

and who said all corporations are corrupt?

[TheXXxSarahJanexXx]

@saberur66

well its a good question, he mentioned that the park came from southern california Edison electrical corporation. That means the park comes from a bunch of corrupt thieves. Thomas Edison stole his ideas from Nicola Tesla and many other inventors back in the 1800's it is also claimed that Edison stole The Electric Bulb or Incandescent Lamp, The Electric Chair, The Movie Camera, The Power Generator, X-Ray Photographs (fluoroscope), The Storage Battery, The Record Player....

[arctictimberwolf]

yummmmmmmm............beet leaves

[arctictimberwolf]

This is what I like to see happenin'

[yeahweburnstuff]

Hi John! Just wanted to thank you for your hard work! My family and I love your positive attitude!

Love from cold and windy Scotland, United Kingdom.

[KamaKinky]

OMG! This is the UTube juicer guy. I love him!

[karika1999]

great to put a spotlight on this. Were you able to make the informational cards and get them up?

[mamoila]

I like this episode John. Keep up the good work!

[Ryanventura]

Hey stop yelling at the camera.. awesome video.

[Shawgton]

you do not feed plants with bad water...trying to make everything GMO..ffuck that

[RuthsGarden]

What a wonderful example!! Reminds me of what's going on in Cuba. Thanks.

[swanra1]

I love the idea that this garden exists. I was a counselor at the University of California for over ten years. Irvine is one of the most prosperous business centers in SO CAL - my concern is does this food get distributed.....to the needy who do not live in Irvine? Also what about all of these plants growing under these power lines???? Do not feel this is as healthy as first might think.....also is this organic or chemically grown as well. So I do not know now incredible edible this food is.

[thelarkinn2]

@swanra1 Believe it or not there are needy people in Irvine.  Having owned a large prop. mgmt company and working with housing applicants I know first hand people who could use the help. I think that any fresh vegies could help - please drive by and look at this site - I lived across the street from this park and I would eat the produce begin produced here.

[FreidasGarden]

@thelarkinn2 But there are more needy people in North West County that really need the food. Not sure any of it makes it up here.

[FreidasGarden]

@swanra1 The food is suppose to go to the Second Harvest Non-Profit group. They feed the needy here in OC.

[paulfetish]

its all well and good telling people how healthy vegetables are but is it GM food...i would guess it would be if its grown via mass production....maybe you should also tell people the risk factors of GM....the way you speak on your video is treating people like dummies....is it REALLY true that veg comes from the ground and not the grocery store??

ive heard of "dumbing down of americans" but YOU actually do treat people as if they are dumb!

[FreidasGarden]

@paulfetish They call that being passionate about the thing you love. If Americans were so smart why doesn't everyone have a garden?

[Mamalynious]

He's not yelling. If you knew where he was, you'd understand how much background noise he's dealing with, and I imagine he's rather lacking a massive sound-technology budget. This is right in the middle of the big city, for all intents and purposes.

[baynative]

gee wiz you dont hav to yell it at us

[KralZltko]

7:10

Somebody lost the puppy?

[Alprofight]

hi , i planted with that method this summer, plastic film with little tube under, works pretty well, no weed keeps warm and humid. i've had good result too. The only thing i will change is how to put it on soil, maybe i'm gonna find a mechanic installator. I've put the plastic by hand, my big outside garden is 45 x 85 so i made 12 row of 45 this year with a possibility maybe 16-17 with 54" center to center with my tractor. A little tricky but not so bad. salute

[OccupyPsyche]

@Alprofight plastic is just more garbage..better off with leafy/straw/wood chips organic matter as mulch which will also break down and feed plants and soil.

[Alprofight]

@OccupyPsyche Hi, thanks for commenting. I approve what your saying. I used cedar mulch in my little green house. The only problem is the cost for mulch and Time saving for big garden. I paid around 130$ Can for a roll of 4500 foot 48 inch wide. i used 45 foot x 13 row for 3 foot wide,so cost is 17$. the film is so thin after harvest i put it all in one garbage bag and plastic recycle. There's new stuff on the market too, they got a degradable roll but little more expensive too

[svanderfange]

Why is he screaming all the time?

[camoparty1982]

Thanks for the upload i work for a park district in palm springs

[dnatypro]

I agree next to a road in a small median would not be good for contaminants sake. But there are some median areas a couple hundred yards across and lots of other unused growable areas with lots less contaminants such as under power lines. Abandoned municipal lots etc.

[KungZoo]

I've just been reading an online BBC article about the Noma restaurant in Copenhagen that experiments with 'new' foods. You might wanna book your next hols there to check it out! One plan for a new menu item is to make discarded Xmas trees in to a dish. I have tried pine bud juice before, It was quite heavily processed, though. It tasted a bit like 'pine' toilet cleaner, so I wasn't very taken by it. Do you think there are any merits to eating evergreens?

[MarshmallowVogt]

That is a ton of broccoli

[MarshmallowVogt]

Woohoo something cool near me so cool to see you in the SoCal area I didn't even know this was near me definitely going to have to pay a visit

[ArizonaAdventures]

great to see something like this, although like you mentioned the mono culture needs to be delt with in the future as well as going organic which I'm sure if they were you would of mentioned that...IDK maybe they are? Could be one reason people are not picking it at will on their own; signs stating when they are spraying chemicals etc maybe? Who is in charge of the farm though? like who is maintaing the crops? The extension possibly? Anyway, thanks for showing us this great place!

[Helioforge]

That's one huge gorilla of a garden!

[MosquitoFood]

Thank you for sharing this.

[dianemummvideos]

I'll be honest John, I need to grow more greens, have to figure out how to do this year around..

[leapingfroglady]

Thanks to you, I do eat the brocolli leaves! We make a dish called spamalicious with it. My family loves it.

[rskurow]

Great video, let's hope places like this are going to be our future.

[GospelTruth37059]

You always find so many interesting places! I hope some of these ideas catch on in other states, thanks John. Tell Penny we miss her :)

[FreidasGarden]

I called but no one knew anything about it. lol Anyway, I found out that it was put there by the Irvine City Counsel. Irvine has a great city. Anaheim is good too but we live in an area that is un-incorporated (Orange County). And noooobody cares about our neighborhood! Where many are in need of this. Irvine is a upper class neighborhood and probably that's why no one will bother to take time to pick the broccoli there. Thanks for inspiring m! I'll keep working on it!

[thelarkinn2]

@FreidasGarden The reason people don't pick the food is they are being considerate of the fact that it is planted and being used for some good - they are signs everywhere. As you know lots of fields in the area don't have fences and people understand that this does not mean they can come in and help themselves. Take time to drive by and look. . .

[trailkeeper]

nice, looks lush and edible

[NaomiPhoenix]

They could get more from a permaculture but its brilliant that they are even doing this in the first place

[aenema1983]

Too much for introducing the video

[nosuchthingasauserna]

Wow! That is some garden!

[oceanirons]

Sorry, not able to listen to this video right now. Is it full organic?

[urbanfarmer67]

hi john i am an avid watcher and i am fourteen years old and i grow in my backyard in buena park for my mother because she has cancer and is eating raw organic and she is doing very well but anyways i grow lots of lettuce and i just harvested some today but the thing is, only on my romaine lettuce the tips are becoming black and yellow but the center is still good so hopefully you can help thank you and god bless

[fogcitycomm]

Who are the farmers?

[CHEVYCAMARO4GEN]

An Hour Away From me, Close Enough Here in So Cal everywhere You Go, You See Open Fields, Most People Really Dont Care for The Growing Fruit Sad To See, I Always Pick something To Munch on.

[phalluman]

7:14 is that your dog, John?

[FreidasGarden]

Wow, I didn't even know that was there. I live next to a weed infested area under the power lines. My back yard has a brick wall between us and it. It's sad how they let it go. You have inspired me to try and see if we could make it into an area similar to that park. We live in a much poorer neighborhood than Irvine and it is really needed here. There are lots of immigrants and some very poor apt dwellings not to far from here. I think I'll call that park and see how they did that. Thanks again!

[4everhdt]

Good video thanks!

[mchlmrtz]

You were down here? If I would have known, I'd have tried to walk around in the background. :)

[keonakidd]

Thanks for sharing this John. I will remember to check it out when I visit my mom in SoCal. I wish they use this model for the all the parks and community everywhere.

[miketonon]

Feed 200,000 people off of 7.5 acres, no way!

[john762x39]

Nice . I just found out from a friend that all the plants at Disney land are editable too. I will have to check that out. to be sure.

[growingyourgreens]

For a few years, most of the plants planted in tomorrow land WERE edible plants. Over the years (and I havent been in a while) that seems to have dramatically been decreasing in the amount of edibles..

[somalipal]

@growingyourgreens Sorry mate but this is a bit of misinformation, the title implies that 7.5acres feed 200k people while the reality is the food from this farm reaches 200k meaning a single brocoli per year per person is included in the stats. that is different from "feeds 200k people".

[growingyourgreens]

My information is taken from this quote about the Incredible, Edible Park: "Now the harvest helps the food bank feed 200,000 hungry people every month."

[Nomoreidsleft]

@growingyourgreens You need to really research the subject better, before making such statements. Notice how they use the word "helps"? This enables them to sound like they are feeding 200k people, but in reality, it's not entirely true. Also, you make it sound like the vegetables are just growing on their own, and have displaced the weeds. In fact, it takes a lot of tending and weeding to grow such a large density of mono-cultured vegetation. It takes lots of money for works and transport.

[fourrayg]

@growingyourgreens I thought he said 200,000 people a year...

[masterprtzl]

@somalipal

Read the title again, "HELPS FEED 200K PEOPLE".

[somalipal]

@masterprtzl The title has been changed. It read ' feeds 200k people" when i posted my statement above. Correction is always good, good one on him.

[ArizonaAdventures]

@john762x39 I know the grapes are :) and You'll find a lot of strawberries as well from what I remember.

[36arista]

@john762x39 I believe this is only true of Disney's California Adventure.

[jimbronaugh]

I lived in SoCal from 1960 2005 and the one thing that was taught from an early age is that it is illegal to take food from an unharvested field. The fine back in the sixties was like $2500 but is probably more now. There are gleaning laws which state that the farmer has to wait three days after harvest before plowing the remains under, but you do not enter the field before harvest. I'll bet you will find a great deal of the crop is taken by passersby after the harvest.

[TradionallySouthern]

Great video! I love this idea to use land that is going unused! Teaching others to grow their own food is wonderful, too. However, I find that many Americans have become dependant on the grocery store for their food supply and do not want to get their hands dirty in the soil. Hopefully, with the continous increase in grocery prices maybe it will motivate some people to get involved in growing their own supply! I just harvested 30 heads of Early Flat Dutch Cabbage from my home garden!

[KungFatty]

next to a road under powerlines ? doesnt seem safe

[Alina674]

oohh! next time I'm in Irvine I'm definitely going there. Sounds like a great place.

[Albqrabbit]

The soap that one must use to grey water with must be sodium- free, especially if it is going to be used for months/years/sole source of water other than rain.  'Oasis' is the only laundry soap I have found that is sodium-free, I get it online.

Almost all soaps contain sodium in some form, including shampoo. Even 'Planet' and 'Ecover' and those type brands. Many soaps have no ingredients listed, but you can go online to the manufacturer web-site and sometimes find the ingredients.

[pria114]

@Albqrabbit Is there any homemade soap that is safe. I am going to start handwashing my clothes with the "Rapid Washer - DIY Manual Hand Washing Machine" and I was going to use Dr. Bronners Hemp Castile Soap for the wash. I've made my own castile soap many times and know that only traces of sodium hydroxide last, is that ok?

[SocialistDemocracy]

Wow that is very incredible. I had an idea to start something like this, and i wanted to start with better management of our so callled "green waste" within local neighborhoods for composting and growing on parks and the abandoned dirt patches i see everywhere, especially those under electrical wires. But it seemed way over my head. For i am a gardening noob, and Im on my first growing adventure

This post inspired me, and upped my hopes of this successfully happening here in los angeles. thanks

[dnatypro]

I was actually thinking about this on my commute yesterday. How the interstate median is such a waste of grass that they use my tax dollars to mow. They could feed so many people if it was edible. Think how many acres of median there are on US highways. More here in rural Midwest than southern cali probably but still a lot

[oceanrefusesnoriver]

@dnatypro , not good to eat food beside the gas, and oil cars, switching to electric will be a good thing

[hybby]

@dnatypro While I see what you're saying, I, personally, have no desire to eat greens that have been breathing in petroleum based pollutants, coming from people's vehicles. However, putting up plants in there which are able to better transmute that pollution would, indeed, be a great idea.

[hybby]

@dnatypro Further, eating plants further away from the road is the better decision. Also, once hemp is no longer criminalized, one can use that and flax to make biofuels, which do not give off the pollutants that oil based fuels give off. And of course, non fuel-based resources would help with that as well :)

[SneleopardenBengals]

@dnatypro yeh but would you really want to eat food that was grown so close to a highway?? think of all the pollution from the cars!:S

I see in this video too there are cars driving by. i would not have eaten those veggies, they would have been alot more healthier if they were organic and toxin-free.

but i agree that the land close to highways could have been used better. Perhaps some low growing shrubs that would help clean the air might be an idea?

[therawlifefamily]

Great video, John.