The History of Our Organization
In 1972 Dean Leith planted the seed of our Organization and we’ve grown ever since.
“We established the Capital District Community Gardens, based in Troy. This organization’s mission was to provide gardens and assistance to local individuals who wanted to grow their own vegetables but lacked the knowledge, tools or space to do so. That’s how and why Capital District Community Gardens was born.”
Take a walk through
our history…
A look back at the history and accomplishments of Capital Roots.
Celebrating 50 Years of Impact
1975 – The Community Gardens program began.
What started with one garden has grown to 55 gardens, feeding over 4,000 families across Albany, Rensselaer, Schenectady, and southern Saratoga counties.
1981 – Focus on community and growth.
Purchased the first permanent garden site in Troy, ensuring longevity for the program.
1989 – The Urban Greening program launched.
Thousands of trees now beautify Albany, Cohoes, Rensselaer, and Troy, enhancing cityscapes and improving air quality.
1986 – Advocating for Green Spaces.
Became advocates for community gardening at the state and national levels, launched educational classes and opened an organic garden supply store.
1989 – The First Annual Spring Brunch.
Bringing the community together to celebrate and support fresh food access in our region.
1990 – Expanded Community Gardens.
By the end of the decade, Capital Roots had 34 garden sites serving nearly 500 families.
1998 – Expanding to Albany.
Capital District Community Gardens obtained and developed land in Albany, adding 13 garden sites.
1990 – Urban Greening.
The Urban Greening program became a model for other cities, planting nearly 200 trees in Troy and expanding its impact into Albany
2000 – Welcome Schenectady!
Added Schenectady to the Community Garden network, managing five community gardens.
2004 – Launched The Squash Hunger program.
This initiative has donated over 1,200,000 pounds of fresh produce to food pantries and soup kitchens throughout the region.
2005 – Established The Taste Good Series.
Thousands of inner-city children discovered the benefits of eating fresh fruits and vegetables through this educational initiative.
2007 – Developed The Veggie Mobile®.
A mobile farm stand began delivering fresh produce directly to underserved neighborhoods, serving thousands of elderly, low-income, and disabled residents. The Veggie Mobile has since become a national model for mobile markets.
2009 – Cultivated The Produce Project.
This year-round urban agriculture training program provides dozens of high school youth with educational and employment opportunities.
2011 – Launched Healthy Stores and expanded the Veggie Mobile®.
The Healthy Stores program made fresh food available daily in local convenience stores, while the Veggie Mobile Sprout extended fresh produce delivery to even more underserved areas.
2012 – Launched Veggie Rx.
In partnership with local physicians, this program helps patients with nutrition-related illnesses access fresh produce through prescription vouchers.
2014 – The Urban Grow Center opened and rebranding to Capital Roots.
The organization’s new headquarters and food hub tripled its produce distribution capacity and introduced The Virtual Veggie Mobile, an online farmers’ market for local products.
2016 – Healthy Schools and Communities initiative launched.
Partnering with St. Peter’s Health Partners, this $2.5 million program aimed to create a healthier Capital Region by improving school and community food environments
2018 – Introduced Smart Vending and Farm-to-School programs.
These initiatives supported healthier snacking options and improved school nutrition, while fostering relationships with local businesses and farmers
2023 – Groundbreaking on the Urban Grow Center Expansion.
This project aimed to enhance food access, support food entrepreneurs, and strengthen local agriculture.
2024 – Grand opening of transformative spaces.
The Urban Grow Center Expansion ushered in a transformative new chapter for Capital Roots, paving the way for innovative programs and unprecedented growth.
2024 – The Good Food Market.
Bridging food access gaps with affordable, locally sourced produce.
2024 – The Expanded Food Hub
Boosting capacity to distribute fresh food to schools, families, and institutions.
2024 – The Incubator Kitchen
Supporting nearly 40 food entrepreneurs in its first year by providing the tools and space to grow their businesses
2025 – Celebrating 50 Years!
Capital Roots continues its mission to improve health equity, expand food access, and sustain local agriculture while addressing tomorrow’s challenges
Be part of the next chapter of this incredible journey.
Your support today will help us shape the health of our community for decades to come!
Help us Grow the Future