'It is bigger than me': South Bend's Sara Stewart wants everyone to have fresh, free food

SOUTH BEND — Community gardener Sara Stewart is looking forward to spring, when her mission to grow fruits and vegetables will blossom again. She also is excited about plant classes, a van, a dome, accessible sidewalks, general green stuff, goats and chickens.

Stewart is executive director and founder of Unity Gardens in South Bend. The gardens started as a project to get people to eat better. It grew from there.

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What is in store for UG? The coming season is expected to be fruitful. About 40 or so neighborhood gardens will be started. The all-purpose building at the main garden on Ardmore Trail and Prast Boulevard will have its grand opening on Earth Day, April. 22 It was a long time coming, from plans with starts and stops.

“We have our occupancy permit and we have a home. I look at the building and I see a miracle,” Stewart said. "It was designed for free by Borkholder Buildings and all the unions and contractors pulled together. I have so much gratitude. They (businesses) value what we are doing."

Near the multipurpose building, part of the garden will be accessible for those limited mobility. She thanks South Bend and Mishawaka for providing funding for a walkway.

The message of good eating will be hitting the road with a new Edgy Veggie van. The custom ride from Lippert Components with additional help from Junior League, Saint Joseph Health Systems, the Jewish Federation and others, will take education and food out into the community where people may not have access to fresh vegetables.

A geodesic dome is on the drawing board for next year on the garden spot.

“The location is where the carrots and radishes were. That is near the all-purpose building," Stewart said. "The dome will give us four seasons of growing plants. The dome will allow school children to visit all year.

The growing season will be busy, as expected. Stewart wants people to feel comfortable in the space. “The kids will run around, pet the goat and hug a chicken. They can eat a pea right out of the pod.”

Stewart has a passion for free and fresh food, improving the quality of life and community involvement. She digs into the dirt. Helps everyone to dig in. She cultivates volunteers, businesses and other community organizations. She preaches food security for all.

The gardens and Stewart were recognized by USA Today in 2021 for its innovative approach to feeding people. The Best of Humankind awards, recognize “everyday people who have showcased the highest level of kindness, compassion and perseverance.”

Local woman, national honor:South Bend's Sara Stewart named Best of Earthkind during USA TODAY's Best of Humankind Awards for creating Unity Gardens

She is a public health nurse who says she is still doing nursing.  The nursing takes the form of good food. “We have to embrace free food and remove barriers to our health,” Stewart said. She asked why we aren’t all mad that people eat junk and there are food deserts when groceries close in neighborhoods.

In 1988, as a nurse, she saw chronic health problems with patients. High blood pressure, obesity and diabetes could be traced to bad food choices.

In response, she started a small garden. Friends joined the campaign. More open gardens followed in neighborhoods. Unity Gardens on Prast and Ardmore started in 2009. She and her partner, Mitch Yaciw, took over the seven acres wedge on the west side. The gardens received a 501c3 designation and the city sold the plot to the UG for $1.

Today there are greenhouses, powered by solar panels, walkways, plots and the main building. The garden sells veggies, seeds and the award-winning Honey from the Hood, and other farm products at the Farmers Market.

In 2020, 180,000 pounds of food was grown. In 2022, more than 9,000 people visited. “We have guides during the summer who help the visitors, give recipes, show them how to pick green beans,” she said. The garden guides estimate the number of people who have taken food.

During the growing months, hundreds of volunteers come to help. Stewart said the list includes Notre Dame students, interns, senior volunteers and high school students. Some come for a week and end up staying the summer.

Stewart sees the garden is a way to be kind to others, an equalizer. “We walk the same path,” she said. "Everyone wants to have good healthy food."

As for the garden, she said, it has a devoted following, a dedicated staff and clear mission.

“The focus is on the community. It is bigger than me," she said. "We all have a finite time but not this.”

She is expecting a good summer of peapods, goats, volunteers and visitors.

This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: Unity Gardens' Sara Stewart wants everyone to have fresh, free food