Benefits of Community Gardens

Recently, I came across a great article, Community Gardens Are Growing Health, Food, & Opportunity, by Ocean Robbins of the Food Revolution Network. Along with the benefits, he explains what a community garden is, their history, types, and several organizational resources. I find the benefits of community gardening particularly interesting...

Healthy, Affordable Eating

Let’s begin with the obvious. Community gardening provides access to fresh, healthy, affordable produce. By growing your own produce, you and your family can save money on groceries and have access to fresh, nutritious food. This can be particularly beneficial for those who may not have easy access to fresh, healthy food options in their neighborhoods, especially low-income families. Not to mention it reduces our reliance on unhealthy fast food and convenience stores (not that they’re affordable anymore).

Improve Overall Health

Community gardening can benefit both physical and mental health. Gardening offers an opportunity for you to connect with nature and develop a deeper appreciation for the natural world, which can have positive effects on mental health and well-being.

Gardening has been shown to have therapeutic benefits, reducing stress, anxiety, and depression. Perhaps because a community garden can provide a sense of purpose, accomplishment, and relaxation.

Education & Rehabilitation

Community gardening can provide opportunities for hands-on learning and skill-building, which can help individuals of all ages make more informed choices about their diet and overall health. Additionally, people learn about gardening, sustainable agriculture, and environmental stewardship. This can foster a greater appreciation for our food system and encourage more sustainable practices.

Gardening also creates opportunities for rehabilitation and education for those in need. Studies report that prisoners are less likely to be arrested again when participating in community garden work. Research has also shown that community gardens can help reduce crime rates in neighborhoods by providing a positive, community-focused activity that deters criminal behavior.

Working in a community garden offers individuals the opportunity to learn new skills, take on responsibilities, and contribute to a shared goal, boosting self-esteem and personal growth due to the resulting sense of purpose and accomplishment.

Community Connection

Community gardens can be your source of connection with others in the community or neighborhood. New friendships can be cultivated. People of all ages and cultures can be brought together, providing opportunities for mentoring, learning, and social interaction between youth, adults, and seniors. Traditional gardening practices, recipes, and knowledge can be shared.

Participating in a community garden can instill a sense of neighborhood pride and responsibility for maintaining a clean, safe, and vibrant community environment.

Community gardens are adaptable. They can be created to suit various needs of a community, such as providing food for food banks, offering therapeutic horticulture for individuals with disabilities, or serving as educational resources for community schools, colleges, and universities.

Food security

Community gardens can help strengthen local food systems by providing fresh, nutritious produce to local markets, restaurants, or food pantries. In times of crisis or economic downturn, gardening can provide a reliable source of fresh, nutritious food, contributing to food security and community resilience.

Environment

Community gardens contribute to environmental sustainability by promoting local food production and reducing the need for transportation from distant locations. They also help in managing stormwater, reducing air pollution, and improving soil quality. Community gardening typically fosters a more sustainable lifestyle by encouraging the use of organic gardening practices.

Community gardens provide a natural habitat for pollinators and wildlife. They can be designed to attract and support specific pollinators and wildlife.

Not to mention, gardens can increase property values in the surrounding area, making neighborhoods more attractive and desirable to live in. Well-maintained community gardens can increase curb appeal, beautifying otherwise vacant or abandoned land that may be an eyesore.

So, if you're not already growing your own veggies and making friends with your neighbors, what are you waiting for?