Refugees in East Portland grow food from Africa

(MAY 26, 2023) Some people from Africa are growing their own food in East Portland. They have gardens in a big field. They grow food from Africa. 

One of them is Fidele Munyanganizi. He is from the Democratic Republic of Congo. He is a refugee. 

At first, he and his family were unsure about American food. It looked strange. It tasted different. So Munyanganizi grows African foods like maize. Maize is a kind of corn. The group grows different African vegetables like greens, peppers, and potatoes. They grow eggplant. They also grow a special plant called “mboga chungu” or “isogo.”  

Other refugees help him. They work together with Outgrowing Hunger. That organization helps find land. It also helps them get things like seeds.

These foods are important to them. They remind them of their home and culture. It also helps them be independent.