PLATO (Pilipinos And Latinos Accessing Together) is a community garden program designed to teach first-time and experienced gardeners alike how to cultivate fresh produce in their own neighborhood. Participants get to keep the produce they grow, like carrots, strawberries, corn, and more, in SIPA’s Heritage Garden once the 2024 growing season ends!
FILIPINOTOWN, LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- A local organization has launched a community garden program called PLATO, which stands for Filipinos and Latinos Accessing Together. The goal is to provide a space for participants to grow fruits and vegetables that are native to the Philippines and Latin America. This small garden is tucked away in historic Filipinotown of Los Angeles.
"Teaching folks how to do organic farming methods but tie it back into nostalgia, culture, and the type of food they eat. That way we can promote nutrition," said Romeo Garcia, a farmer and workshop facilitator.
PLATO was started earlier this year. It's not just about planting roots - it's about discovering cultural roots too. Community members grow the usual: carrots, corn, tomatoes. But they also grow produce like sweet potato camote and taro.
"Crops like this are things that bring back nostalgia for our communities and our participants in the gardens to start reconnecting with food," said Garcia.
"Just here in historic Filipinotown there's not a lot of access to fresh produce. There's not many grocery stores within walking distance," said Isabel Cuevas, health and wellness program coordinator with the organization, Search to Involve Pilipino Americans.
The goal is to bridge that gap, all while creating a gardening experience that spans generations.
"Because we're coming from a cultural lens, we're also learning from our elders and our community folks. And even the young people involved. What's their connection to food?" said Garcia.
The workshops don't end on the soil. They go from plant bed to kitchen counter. PLATO organizers hope to expand to other green areas in Filipinotown.
