Deep in the heart of the Tijuana River Valley is a small commune of growers who thrive despite being in an area that has been described as “an environmental disaster.” The site is known as the Tijuana River Valley Community Garden, which is owned by the County of San Diego and managed by a private contractor. … One concern is whether the food grown by [grower Ed] Whited and the others is safe for consumption, considering the amount of contamination in the area, especially with the heavily-polluted Tijuana River next door. “Our worst problem here is the flooding,” he said. “The river runs right by here; if a plant is touched by water or potentially touched by water, it’s no longer edible or considered edible and it’s a complete loss.”