Alma Wilkes in the community garden at Brother's Keeper Shelter

Gary Food Council works to save garden from relocation

Contributed By:The 411 News

What began as a small plot of land on Broadway has grown into one of Gary’s most active community gardens.

But now, the Gary Food Council says its future on the site is uncertain.

According to Alma Wilkes, one of the Gary Food Councils executive members, city officials have stated they must vacate the land owned by Brother’s Keeper shelter in order for the land to be repurposed.

“We don’t fit the aesthetic vision that the administration has in terms of future development,” said Wilkes. “In their eyes, the only option is to force us to relocate.”

The Gary Food Council has leased the land the garden sits on since 2023, and has received more than $50,000 in grant funding to improve operations and expand programs such as the Junior Master Gardener program.

For Wilkes, having to start over again at a new location would be like a blow to the chest for the food council.

“We have running water, fertile soil, and a location that allows us to provide for all of Gary’s neighborhoods,” she said. “We’ve spent years cultivating this land and we are not ready or willing to give it up.”

Another food council member, Donna Jack, is also frustrated with the situation at hand, and says that moving to a new location would bring about new issues.

“What they don’t understand is that moving out of this space isn’t like moving out of your apartment,” said Jack. “The spaces that they have offered us are not suitable for our needs and wouldn’t allow the garden to thrive.”

Wilkes feels as though this situation speaks to a bigger issue that the Gary Food Council is actively trying to combat.

“We are living in one of the most polluted and food-scarce areas in the country,” she said. “Urban cities should be doing more to uplift community gardens like ours instead of trying to move us somewhere else.”

Currently, there is no official solution or plan in sight for relocation.

“We have eight years left on our lease with the Brother’s Keeper Shelter,” said Jack. “As far as I know, we have not received any letter or message in writing from the city, so we don't really know what’s going to happen next.”

Although many members and volunteers are expressing concern over the future of the garden and its current location, Wilkes is trying to stay optimistic.

“As of early November, we have gained over 1,000 signatures on our petition,” she said. “Although those signatures might not have any direct impact on the decision that the City of Gary makes, I think it shows just how much our community wants us to stay right where we are.”

To learn more about this issue and the Gary Food Council, visit www.gfc219.org or contact gfcindiana@gmail.com.

Story Posted:12/07/2025