Pilgrim’s hopes to pioneer market gardens in Lake City

Joe Hamilton wants to plant a garden at his place in Coeur d’Alene’s Midtown neighborhood, and he’s asking the city for permission.

Gardeners generally don’t need city approval, but his idea is a bit more ambitious than a backyard tomato patch or kale bed.

Hamilton is owner and president of Pilgrim’s Market, a natural foods store on North Fourth Street. He bought a vacant residential lot directly behind his store and wants to develop a market garden there to supply produce year-round for the Pilgrim’s salad bar and juice bar, and maybe for use in its deli.

“We’re really into it. We’ve been traveling all over doing research and speaking with a lot of experts and attending conferences,” he said. “We really want to go for it.”

The Pilgrim’s market would be a showcase for do-it-yourself urban farming using the latest technology to stretch the Inland Northwest growing season, from innovative hoop-style greenhouses to geothermal heating, Hamilton said.

“We plan on making it highly productive,” he said.

Spokane last year embraced the concept of market gardens and also lifted zoning restrictions on small livestock and chickens in residential neighborhoods. The city of Moscow made similar changes in 2013.

Seizing on the trend, Hamilton says it’s time for Coeur d’Alene to make it easy for people to grow and sell food in the city. Market gardening is a great use of urban land and can supply fresh vegetables and greens to restaurants and farmers markets, he said.

“Wouldn’t it be great to go into Angelo’s, a local restaurant, and half the stuff in the summer is all local?” he said. “Wouldn’t it be great if people could make a little money, too, out of the garden in their backyard? … It’s a nice little economy boost as well.”

He is asking the city Planning Commission to grant a special-use permit for his market garden on the 7,500-square-foot lot. The permit is necessary because of “the level of civic service that our activities would provide through educational efforts and environmental improvement,” he said.

The idea meshes with the city’s “2030” vision plan, which speaks to a desire for more community gardens and urban farming. “It’s a generally good use, promoting local food and healthy food sources for people,” said Hilary Anderson, the city planning director.

Pilgrim’s opened in 1999 and employs about 90 people. A firm believer in community education, Hamilton established the Pilgrim’s Education Center about seven years ago. The store has hosted over 300 public events since then, including beekeeping demonstrations, cooking classes and tastings.

Likewise, Hamilton hopes the market garden will demonstrate “that not only is growing food year round in this community possible, but that it is also an enjoyable and beautifying hobby or pursuit.” It also would show how much fresh, local food is available here, and would take “a small step towards greater local food independence right in our backyards,” he said.

Hamilton said he wants to coordinate the effort with the Inland Northwest Food Network, the University of Idaho Dietetics Program, the University of Idaho Extension Service, Kootenai Environmental Alliance, Community Roots, the Kootenai County Farmers Market and other organizations.

Teri McKenzie, founder of Inland Northwest Food Network, said the Pilgrim’s market garden would support that organization’s efforts to expand the region’s food system and raise awareness of the importance of eating locally, sustainably grown foods.

“Market gardens are increasingly gaining support throughout the country as the public recognizes the value of having access to fresh, locally grown, healthy foods,” McKenzie said.

The Kootenai Environmental Alliance, which hosts two community garden sites in Coeur d’Alene, also has endorsed Hamilton’s proposal.

“Gardens are essential components of a vibrant, healthy and sustainable city,” Adrienne Cronebaugh, executive director of the nonprofit conservation organization, said in a letter to the city. “They serve as places for inter-generational sharing and a place to educate the community about fresh, local food production.”