Des Plaines alderman proposes 'victory gardens' on city property

More than 70 years after the end of World War II, "victory gardens" may be coming back to Des Plaines.

Alderman Malcolm Chester is spearheading an effort to use underutilized city-owned property to grow vegetables that would be donated to local food pantries.

Chester says a resident suggested the idea, taking inspiration from the 1940s, when everyday Americans grew produce to support the war effort. At the time, people grew their own vegetables to supplement rations, while food was sent overseas to feed the American military.

Chester is meeting with the Des Plaines Garden Club, park district and VFW Post 2992 to gain support for the modern-day gardens. The city is putting together an inventory of its properties to see which ones are practical to plant on.

The city council's community services committee, which is chaired by Chester, is expected to discuss the issue at a future meeting.