Despite living in agricultural communities, low income rural communities of color such as Bridgeton, New Jersey are often located in a food desert. Food deserts are areas where there is limited access to affordable and nutritious food, usually this means there are minimal to no grocery stores. The lack of access to healthy food leads to health problems which become a significant burden to those with limited access to health insurance. To help rectify this problem CATA has worked with community members to form an organic community garden with culturally appropriate food. The garden is cared for by community members, CATA, and volunteers. A weekly market is held where the food grown at the garden is sold at an affordable price. The garden is also the site of herbal medicine and traditional cultural remedy workshops. CATA runs the Youth Food Justice Internship Program at the garden that involves food justice education, gardening, and connecting to the land.

For those looking to get involved with the work being done at CATA, the garden is community run and open to volunteers. Stop by for fresh organic produce at the weekly market which accepts SNAP benefits. Stay up to date with CATA by checking out their social media pages and website. If you are looking to address food justice in your community, connect local organizations, get involved in community gardens, and talk to local politicians.

Looking forward, The Farmworkers Association plans to keep strengthening protections for workers and continue working with the Latino immigrant population in South Jersey to push for what they want to achieve. Specifically, there are plans to expand the garden and produce jams, salsas and creams with the produce. They hope to expand their internships, get more youth involved, and expand their educational programs.