Blodgett Urban Garden

blodgett urban gardens (bug) is a 2.3- acre community garden located in the historic third ward – less than one mile southeast of downtown houston, tx. within its boundaries is cuney homes, a public housing development, and two of the city’s universities – texas southern university, an historically black university (hbcu) and the university of houston. the garden’s presence in the community is the result of efforts by texas southern university students and residents who were concerned that the community in which they lived and studied had been designated a food desert. since 2012, bug has served the community through its mission – to provide access to fresh produce, to educate the community about gardening and good nutrition, and to create a safe gathering place. in 2020, bug expanded during the height of the covid-19 pandemic to help meet the increased food insecurity demand exacerbated by additional grocery store closures surrounding third ward, higher food prices, lack of transpo