Centerfield of Greens: SF Giants Open Edible Garden

Going to a game just got greener. And more delicious. Yesterday, the San Francisco Giants opened The Garden at AT&T Park.

Located behind centerfield, the garden will supply vegetables and fruits for menu items courtesy of the Giants’ food service partner, Bon Appetit Management Company. We’re talking strawberry smoothies, Mason Jar salads and crostini with chard.

The 4,320-square-foot space, one of the first edible gardens in a U.S. ballpark, boasts vertical aeroponic towers, which efficiently grow nutritious greens and herbs.

Blooming big time today: Artichokes, collards, chard, lettuce and, of course, kale.

On hand at the ribbon-cutting ceremony: The Giants healthy-eating ambassador, Hunter Pence, who has dabbled with the Paleo Diet and converted the likes of Buster Posey and other teammates to the wonders of eating green.

Think Kale Salad for starters. Or #kalepower to Giants fans in the know.

Also in the mix: Junior Giants, 9-year-olds from Willie Mays Boys and Girls Club of Hunters Point, who got to eat greens, plant seeds and talk ball with the home run hitting Hunter.

Oh, and a couple of offspring of media types who were delighted to meet a real live MLB star. And eat good, green, clean grub.

A visit to the ballpark just got a whole lot tastier. Plans call for the gathering spot–complete with seating, fire pits and concession stands–to open to the public after the All-Star break next month.

Did we mention there’s a bar slated for the space too?

Fans can still brown bag it and picnic on the sod farm in front, which provides soil for the playing field. Oh, and if you want to watch the game from here? The garden’s centerfield wall will feature small cutout slits with ground-level views of the action.

The garden will also serve as a community teaching tool. The goal is to educate young eaters (and eager ballplayers hoping to catch a glimpse of their heroes at batting practice, perhaps) about the value of growing greens and eating fresh food.

Could the Giants kick off a ballpark trend?

We know The A’s have some serious stadium problems going on. But can we get some healthy food happening in the ballpark on this side of the Bay? Let’s Go Oakland.

A girl can dream.