PHOENIX (April 8, 2013) — Community Tire Pros and Auto Repair is developing "Community Salsa Garden 2013!" — an effort to provide an educational and sustaining garden for its local community.
The Phoenix-based dealership said the venture will feature an educational and sustaining garden as a gift from the company, complete with planting for kids at the Friendly House—a local educational facility that provides tools and training needed to attain sustaining self-sufficiency.
The garden also will include future oil replacement plants for tires, recycling and repurposing. Community Tire said an aim of the garden is finding a way to bring fresh produce to a community that is a "food desert," meaning the area has no shopping for miles.
The dealership said it hopes the garden will bring the neighborhood together for a worthwhile cause that benefits the entire community. The garden will be located across the street from Community Tire Pros and Auto Repair corporate office near Durango and Central Ave. The company hosted a groundbreaking ceremony last October with city officials, guests and community members in attendance.
"We have an extensive selection of resources that would help kids to learn more about the importance of planting, gardening and oil replacements," said Patricia Fleischmann, director of First Impressions with CommunityTirePros.com.
"It's our objective to help teachers and parents make this not only a really fun outdoor experience, but a learning tool for building a healthier, stronger community. "
Community Tire said it has a long-term goal for the garden, ultimately wanting the land to mature and grow into a Farmer's Market where community members can participate in monthly exchanges of vegetables and other items for their families. It aims to eventually seek out sponsors for plots where 90 percent of the crops harvested are donated back to the neighborhood.