Seeding Galveston is an urban gardening project that has transformed some weedy vacant lots on Galveston Island into thriving community gardens.
The largest plot, at 33rd and Avenue N, is a full-fledged urban farm. Tomatoes, eggplant, sorrel, cucumbers, cabbage, green beans, herbs, collard greens, several kinds of chard, kale, and potatoes are all planted there now. Along with all the vegetables, there are also dairy goats, laying hens, and honeybee hives.
On Wednesday mornings from 9 am to 11 am, you can buy fresh vegetables, eggs, honey and whatever else is being harvested that day at the farm stand set up by the front gate. A plastic supermarket bag full of greens goes for $2. 
If you would like to volunteer, show up on Saturday morning in your gardening gear and do some weeding, watering, or whatever else needs done–you will be paid in fruit and vegetables.
The vision behind Seeding Galveston is provided by veteran urban gardeners, Debbie Berger and John Sessions. The pair have been honored for their work with UTMB and other community organizations–both for making fresh produce available to those who need it, and for helping those who teach children and the disabled using gardening as a learning experience.
If you’ve ever visited the Galveston Farmers Market on Sunday, you’ve probably noticed Seeding Galveston’s half block “rent-a-garden” area at Post Office and 25th. There individuals and organizations use the raised beds to grow their own vegetables.
When I visit the Wednesday morning market at N and 33rd, I buy a lot of French sorrel. Its long been a favorite ingredient of mine and you can’t find it at the grocery store. The past few weeks, I’ve been trying out some new sorrel recipes–including several from former Israeli spy Yotam Ottolenghi.
It’s amazing stuff!