Newport News Shipbuilding interns volunteered at an urban garden last week to help grow and harvest produce for the local community. The garden, located near the intersection of Jefferson Avenue and 21st Street in Newport News, is the first of its kind in the city.

Hampton Roads Urban Agriculture, the managing partner of the garden, is a nonprofit committed to reducing food insecurity across the region by developing urban farming and educational programming while creating a sustainable food system.

“Our mission is to provide food insecure communities with access to healthy food,” said Renee Foster, president of Hampton Roads Urban Agriculture. “My passion has always been one of serving. Last year we harvested about 2,000 pounds of fruits and vegetables to the local community.”

Savannah Brady, an engineering intern, helped weed and harvest the garden. “I love helping the community,” she said. “It means a lot to me because my family has struggled with food insecurity.”

Plants in the garden include corn, cucumbers, strawberries, mint, peppers, tomatoes, watermelons and zucchini. There are also apple, cherry, peach and pear trees.

“It means a lot to give back to the community,” said Demarius Mcintosh, a software development intern. “We want people to see that we’re doing our part in the community to make it better, and maybe they will help be part of it.”

Watch a video featuring NNS interns volunteering in the garden on MyNNS.