The founders of Gateway Community Garden were the leaders of the Long Island Community Agriculture Network who saw the need to bring a new source of healthy, organic vegetables to Huntington Station. They recognized that hunger is a present and growing problem, and designed Gateway to be a template for other community gardens on Long Island. It was early July in the hot summer of 2010 when the first phase of the Garden was completed. Dozens of volunteers recruited by the Long Island Community Agriculture Network provided most of the people power, while funds from Huntington Town’s Open Space Bond Fund bought the lumber, soil, compost, shed, irrigation system, etc. An Economic Development Grant also helped pay for some labor.

Today, the garden is one of the largest on Long Island, with 115 garden beds for children, adults and people with physical limitations. Each year, tons of organic vegetables grow here in neat rows of boxes, graced by gorgeous murals and plantings of flowers. The garden has won two Beautification Awards from Huntington Town.

The garden has also provided an opportunity for recreation, exercise, and social contact; helped the community fight diet-related diseases like diabetes; reduced family food costs; and been a teaching laboratory for hundreds of local children.