New Orleans Garden Expands Fresh Food Access
New Orleans couple transforms vacant lot into community garden and market serving food deserts
9th Ward Garden Tackles Food Desert Crisis
A New Orleans community garden is expanding access to fresh produce for residents facing limited food options. Ashley Webb and her husband, Andres Barcelo-Sanchez, transformed a vacant Upper 9th Ward lot into Barcelo Gardens, which now serves neighborhoods throughout south Louisiana. The couple opened Barcelo Gardens Fresh Market in 2023 to bring locally grown vegetables and fruits directly to communities with few grocery options.
Addressing Food Access Barriers
The couple purchased the land at 2301 Gallier St. in 2019 after recognizing their neighborhood's lack of fresh food access. Marcus Coleman, a Tulane University professor, notes that food access in New Orleans is affected not just by affordability but also by transportation and the presence of food deserts and food swamps. The garden addresses these barriers by providing local access to fresh produce and education about growing food. Webb and Barcelo-Sanchez also manage the Lafreniere Park Farmers Arts Market and travel to markets as far as Napoleonville to combat food desert conditions across the region.
Free Classes Build Food Skills
Barcelo Gardens offers free gardening classes every Saturday at 11 a.m., teaching topics ranging from seed starting to grafting trees and using herbs for mocktails. Paul Betz, who joined the team in 2021 after Hurricane Ida, leads the educational classes and previously taught gardening for the New Orleans Public Libraries. The garden includes chicken and duck coops and provides hands-on learning experiences for community members to understand where their food comes from. The classes aim to empower residents with skills to grow their own food and improve self-sufficiency.
Market Expansion and Recognition
In 2023, the couple opened Barcelo Gardens Fresh Market at 3340 Piety St. to provide neighbors with fresh produce from their garden and other local farms. Webb was honored by the New Orleans chapter of Les Dames d'Escoffier with the 2026 Leading from the Heart award for her community commitment. The market operates alongside the garden's educational programming, creating a comprehensive approach to food access in underserved areas.
Community Impact and Access
Community initiatives like Barcelo Gardens are helping empower residents to have greater control over their diets and improve overall community well-being. The garden's combination of fresh produce sales, free education, and hands-on learning addresses multiple barriers to food access in south Louisiana. Residents can visit the market at 3340 Piety St. or attend Saturday classes to learn growing techniques. Moovit provides real-time transit directions to help riders reach Barcelo Gardens Fresh Market and other local food access points throughout New Orleans.
