In 1998, the last trains rumbled through Alameda’s West End along a mile-long stretch of track known as the Beltline. The former railway, adjacent to Atlantic Avenue near Marina Village, has given the City of Alameda a unique opportunity to create a vibrant open space to benefit the whole community.
Alameda Point Collaborative had the exciting opportunity to help conduct a study to determine if a portion of the beltline property could be converted into a food production garden to serve the needs of clients of the Alameda Food Bank. The food bank, located at the western tip of the Beltline, serves low-income Alameda residents – many of them from our own community – who could benefit from the availability of additional fresh produce.
APC was chosen to lead this study because in addition to providing permanent supportive housing to formerly homeless families and individuals, we operate several innovative social enterprises, including one of the largest urban farms in the inner East Bay. Our experience developing and running the farm greatly informed the feasibility study.
APC conducted an analysis of current conditions; surveyed users of the Alameda Food Bank, and met with other stakeholders including Food Bank Staff and other community groups that expressed an interest in being involved.
Based on this work, our findings are: