Chicago, IL – The PCC Austin Farm at PCC Community Wellness Center (PCC) is launching its third season of urban gardening workshops to encourage residents of the Austin community to grow their own fruits and vegetables for a healthier lifestyle. Held conveniently during lunchtime, the Lunch & Learn workshops teach individuals how to grow local, sustainable produce using organic practices. Sessions are free and open to the community. The first session of the season will be held on Thursday, March 23.

As a community health center, PCC is committed to offering affordable, healthy foods to Austin residents, who live in a “food desert”. PCC has already increased access by cultivating organically grown produce at the PCC Austin Farm and making that produce available at the PCC Austin Farm Stand for very low prices. Eating more fruits and vegetables will help PCC’s patients live healthier lives and minimize the risk for chronic conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure.

To further augment PCC’s patients’ intake of nutritious foods, PCC is advocating that patients and community residents grow their own fruits and vegetables. The workshops provide a good foundation for beginning and intermediate gardeners. Topics include seed starting, garden planning, healthy soils, organic plant health, harvesting fresh vegetables, season extension, and healthy eating from the garden.

Lunch & Learn workshops are held from 12:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. in the second floor conference area of PCC Austin Family Health Center, located at 5425 W. Lake Street, Chicago, IL 60644. The complete schedule of workshops can be obtained at www.pccwellness.org. PCC encourages anyone interested in learning more about the community gardening workshops to contact Lucy Flores, Community Outreach Health Education Manager, at 773-413-1240 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..