Meet the woman behind Miss Gloria’s Garden–a community garden in New Orleans that helps locals eat healthy by giving them free organic food.

By Heather Newgen

It’s 9:00 am and as volunteers arrive, Gloria Ward, 72, has already watered the entire community garden and is moving onto the next project. She stops to excitedly greet everyone and tell them about Miss Gloria’s Garden, a space where locals can stop by and take produce at no cost.

“The community by and I let them take vegetables for free. You can come and get anything you want here,” Ward explains to the new group of people volunteering for the day.

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“It’s important for me to do this so I can help other people,” she said.

Ward is known in New Orleans for her kindness and generosity, something her daughter Zada Summers says locals are taken back by.

“People are always surprised like why would you do this? It’s like why wouldn’t you do this? If you grow food that you like, you can’t eat it all. So why not share it with other people?”

Ward self-funds Miss Gloria’s Garden and relies on volunteers for help.

“I need volunteers to come help me with the weeding and maintaining. I just like volunteers cause I meet a lot of young people and see where they’re going in their lives,” she revealed.

Ward works 10-12 hours a day in the garden and loves to see the community enjoying Miss Gloria’s Garden. She created what she calls “a safe space” for people to come and be themselves.

In addition to growing healthy organic food, the garden can be used for cooking and sewing classes, as well as arts and crafts for kids, yoga and meditation.

Miss Gloria’s Garden also has movie nights, concerts and other great events.
For more information visit www.missgloriasgarden.com.