DR. SANJAY GUPTA, CNN CHIEF MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): In one of the toughest neighbors in Chicago, a garden of plenty.

(on camera): What are you growing in here?

REDMOND: Yes. Any number of things. Those are collar greens.

GUPTA: Green, leafy vegetables.

REDMOND: Absolutely.

GUPTA: Something that's hard to get around here otherwise?

REDMOND: You will not be able to find this around here.

GUPTA (voice-over): Madonna Redmond planted the first seeds of what she calls urban farm sites when she couldn't find fresh produce nearby. You see, there are no supermarkets here, only convenience stores. With no place to buy fresh food, Redmond says no wonder many in the neighborhood suffer from high blood pressure, diabetes, and obesity.

REDMOND: I think it's definitely is related to the access to healthy food issue. I mean most of those diseases are diet-related.

GUPTA: Urban farm sites like this one in Chicago are part of a growing movement. Taja Sevelle started the non-profit urban farming two years ago in Detroit with a goal of eradicating hunger. The group has added gardens in New York, Los Angeles, St. Louis, St. Paul and Newark. Sevelle says urban farming is about a lot more than growing healthy food free for the taking.

TAJA SEVELLE, URBAN FARMING: There's a look in your eye when you don't have any hope. And I've seen that look of hopelessness and I've seen that look come back to life and not only come back to life, but come back to life in the big way.

GUPTA: A taste of the country in the city where the harvest is hope and better health.

Dr. Sanjay Gupta, CNN, Chicago.