Virginia Organizing chapter leader Camil Davis (far left, walks with children and local residents during the second annual Green Walk. AMIR VERA/PROGRESS-INDEX PHOTOS

Published in The Progress-Index

PETERSBURG — Citizens are looking to make a healthier change in the city.

Children, residents, local officials and VSU staff were seen walking along Halifax and Harding streets May 30 in an effort to raise awareness and promote a more healthy lifestyle. The second annual Green Walk was hosted by Virginia Organizing, a grass-roots organization that is committed to seeking out the needs of the community, and Virginia State University’s Harding Street Indoor Farm.

“It is a walk for the Food Desert Campaign for the city. Petersburg has been named one of the unhealthiest cities in the state of Virginia and we do not have access to enough local, fresh produce. For the citizens of the community, we are looking to heighten awareness of this issue by bringing people here, letting them tour the community of the Harding Street Farm and do a walk for the awareness,” said Camil Davis, Petersburg chapter leader of Virginia Organizing. “What Virginia Organizing wants to do is take the produce from the farm and hope to start a campaign where we can go to mini-marts and convenience stores to place set-ups for local, fresh produce so that all the residents have access.”

Participants walked less than a mile starting at the Harding Street Indoor Farm, cutting through Poplar Lane, walking along Halifax Street in front of the Tabernacle Community Life Center and ending right back at the farm.

“The benefit of this event is to bring awareness to the community of the issue of health and how it affects every aspect of our society,” Davis said. “Being and eating healthy is only one component to building a stronger community.”