Houston's a city of great giving and the CultureMap Charity Challenge, presented by Yellow Cab, aims to highlight that. CultureMap selected 12 deserving nonprofits to compete for a grand prize as they all raise awareness for worthy causes. CultureMap is highlighting the charities over the next several weeks. Today: Urban Harvest.

A leader in the local food movement, Urban Harvest, founded in 1994, aims to inspire and empower the diverse people of a culturally rich city by teaching about and encouraging community, good nutrition and sustainability through organic gardening.

The nonprofit organization focuses on three core programs: Community gardens, gardening and youth education, and farmers markets. The first supports existing community gardens and encourages the development of new ones.

Urban Harvest teaches students the fundamentals of how to engage the community, get funding, and design and prepare the site of school gardens, allowing them to apply what they learn and see the results.

Farmers markets spotlight local agricultural products. Farmers, who directly produce their products, come from within 180 miles of Houston and source at least 51 percent of the ingredients locally.

Vote now for Urban Harvest — or one of the other worthy local nonprofits — in the CultureMap Charity Challenge.