Gardens and Food Insecurities in America

 

According to the USDA 44 million people in the U.S are facing hunger, including 1 in 5 children. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) refers to food security as “access by all people at all times to enough food for an active, healthy life.” Food insecurity, then, can be understood as the lack of access to or the limited availability of nutritionally adequate foods that prevents all household members from leading active and healthy lives. In 2022 alone, 49 million people turned to food assistance for extra help. Food banks, food pantries and community organizations unite to help millions of people access affordable, nutritious food for themselves and their families.

One way people are combatting hunger and food insecurities is through community and urban agriculture. By building these food secure communities we are reducing the cost of the food miles or the time it takes to travel from farm to plate. Thus, reducing the production cost of the food and creating cheaper products for people to buy. Getting fresher produce can promote a healthier eating habit which can lead to improve mental health and reduce stress.

Community gardens or neighborhood groups usually seek volunteers for tasks, such as planting, weeding, mulching, harvesting, and distributing leftover vegetables to families and food banks. Managers of these gardens also play an educational role, informing local citizens how to plant and grow their own food and advising on the right time to pick a vegetable. Community gardens also improve gardeners’ physical health, with research suggesting that gardening can burn between 250 – 500 calories per hour. These communal spaces also serve as beautiful community fixtures that positively contribute to the environment, especially in urban spaces that are often deprived of green space.

Food is a fundamental human right. Survival for many people rely not only on governmental programs but community agriculture. Although community and urban gardens are only one avenue to combat food insecurities it has many other positive outcomes such as improving mental health, reducing stress and increasing physical health.