Mayors and Mayor Eşki come together at the community garden

Bornova Municipality’s Solidarity Garden, established on a 20-decare plot of land in Yakaköy, opened its doors with a harvest event attended by Mayor Ömer Eşki and Bornova’s neighborhood headmen (muhtars). As part of the project, naturally grown vegetables produced without the use of chemicals will be delivered to people in need through the Kent Market network. The event also brought the good news of new community gardens to be allocated to women in the city center. Mayor Eşki and the muhtars emphasized that this production initiative, developed through collective decision-making, will further strengthen social municipal services and community solidarity in Bornova.

Bornova Municipality has added another project aimed at strengthening local development and community solidarity. Bornova Mayor Ömer Eşki hosted the neighborhood muhtars serving across the district at the Solidarity Garden established in Yakaköy. The muhtars toured the garden, established on Yakaköy’s fertile lands, and joined the excitement of the harvest by picking tomatoes, peppers and eggplants themselves. The gathering, centered on agricultural production and sharing, concluded with an enjoyable breakfast shared by everyone.

“We are growing Bornova through collective wisdom and solidarity”

Meeting with the muhtars individually and explaining the projects, Bornova Mayor Ömer Eşki said:

“Bornova’s lands are incredibly fertile. We set out to share this abundance with our people and turn production into solidarity. Our muhtars are our eyes and ears in the neighborhoods. Behind every step we take together here today and every crop we harvest, there is a strong spirit of collective decision-making.”

Bornova’s muhtars expressed their satisfaction with seeing the project firsthand and emphasized their support, saying:

“Bornova Municipality’s agricultural initiative will be a lifeline for low-income residents in our neighborhoods. Both the community gardens provided for women and the fact that the produce grown here will be made available to residents through Kent Markets are among the finest examples of socially oriented municipal services. We thank our Mayor Ömer Eşki for bringing this valuable initiative to our district.”

Yakaköy’s natural produce meets residents at Kent Markets

Bornova Municipality’s Solidarity Garden, established on a 20-decare plot in Yakaköy, is not merely a production area but also a center of urban solidarity. The produce, grown entirely through natural methods without chemical pesticides or fertilizers, is delivered directly to the tables of residents in need through the Kent Markets operated by Bornova Municipality. In this way, the project both supports sustainable agriculture and provides Bornova residents facing economic hardship with access to healthy and reliable food.

Community gardens flourish through women’s empowerment

Alongside its agricultural initiatives in rural areas, Bornova Municipality is also bringing green spaces in the city center into production. Community gardens established in the district center and allocated exclusively to women are increasing Bornova women’s participation in social and economic life. In these spaces, women both grow their own food and take a break from the stress of urban life by reconnecting with the soil. These community gardens, flourishing through women’s efforts, are also helping revitalize neighborhood culture and strengthen bonds between neighbors.