Albany Victory Gardens

Growing Food. Growing Equity. Growing Community.

At Albany Victory Gardens (AVG), we believe that access to healthy, fresh food is not a luxury—it’s a human right. Rooted in the powerful legacy of Victory Gardens from WWII and the 1970s, our mission is to fight for food justice and community resilience in Albany’s West Hill neighborhood—one garden bed at a time.

Victory Gardens were once planted to combat food shortages and inspire civic pride. Today, we grow them to restore dignity, combat hunger, and build a sustainable future for our neighbors facing economic and social inequality.

What We Do

Albany Victory Gardens transforms underused urban land into thriving community garden spaces where residents of all backgrounds—from seasoned growers to first-time gardeners—can learn, grow, and thrive together.

We provide:

Free garden plots to local individuals and families
Access to tools, seeds, compost, and water
Hands-on education and mentorship in sustainable gardening
Fresh produce grown by and for the community
A safe space for connection, healing, and empowerment

Through shared garden plots and collective labor, we foster community cooperation, cross-cultural exchange, and environmental stewardship—while addressing urgent food insecurity in one of Albany’s most underserved neighborhoods.

Why It Matters

The West Hill neighborhood faces some of the highest rates of poverty, food insecurity, and health disparities in the city. Albany Victory Gardens is a grassroots solution to systemic issues—where food, education, and opportunity grow from the ground up.

Our work helps:

Reduce hunger and food deserts
Promote economic self-sufficiency
Improve physical and mental health
Reconnect residents to culturally significant food traditions
Build neighborhood pride and collective action

In every harvest, there’s healing. In every seed planted, a story of resilience.

Our Roots. Our Vision.

For over seven years, Albany Victory Gardens has evolved into a community food systems hub—serving hundreds of residents and empowering them to reclaim their right to food, land, and wellness.

At our core, we are about capacity building and connection:

Rebuilding a tradition of knowledge-sharing between neighbors
Bridging gaps in race, age, culture, and income
Encouraging self-reliance and the joy of growing your own food

This is more than gardening—it’s community transformation.

Get Involved

Whether you’re planting your first tomato seed or ready to roll up your sleeves in the compost pile—there’s a place for you here.

Donate to help us expand garden space, support more families, and supply tools and seeds
Volunteer with planting, teaching, harvesting, or events
Sponsor a plot or support a gardener-in-training
Partner with us to bring food justice to more neighborhoods

Together, we’re not just growing food—we’re growing power, hope, and community.