Fantastic initiative. I hope it works for the people there. More and more I think we've hit our ceiling for continued economic growth and our future looks something like this (small urban farms, relying on community...).

I'm a resident of Detroit and the recent economic woes have not been kind to us. Usually non-Detroiters aren't either, so I thank you for writing about something positive coming out of an unfortunate situation.

Amazing. Wonderful, inspiring idea. I love that the food is free for the taking.

Great idea!

Nuestras Raices in Holyoke, MA has been doing the same thing, but with fenced in family plots. I think the average equivalent income based on produce grown is around $2000 per family plot - which is outstanding considering the family plots are very tiny.
They also have their hands in myriad other programs in the area, including youth programs, womens empowerment programs, environmental justice organizing, and they've just been endowed with a farm right along side the Connecticut River.

Check 'em out: http://www.nuestras-raices.org/

This is awesome.

They're doing this in the West End neighborhood of Atlanta as well.

They're planning to get school children involved in growing produce and running a food co-op for class credit, so that they will hopefully develop the requisite knowledge and confidence to become entrepreneurs in the city's poorest neighborhoods.

I really love the idea of local communal farms and markets. I see a lot of it in my area, and it's great to see it expanding into urban areas. A great use of foreclosed land that would otherwise go to waste.... much luck in its success!