Community gardens bring communities together in one shared outdoor space to grow a variety of seasonal fruits, vegetables, herbs, and flowers. It is a growing national trend that promotes community bonding, and sustainable living, protects the environment, beautifies neighborhoods, educates, and most of all helps with food security. These assets are here to stay and depend on everyone to join together to create a positive impact. Pari Livermore creates beautiful community gardens in the Bay Area and encourages others to learn more.
How Community Gardens Provide Food Security
Food security means having access to sufficient quality, nutritious, and affordable food. There are many families in rural and urban neighborhoods alike where community gardens are vital for feeding or supplementing families. It’s difficult for some people, especially those in rural areas to have transportation to groceries that are far away. It is also easier on the budget for those who cannot afford the high prices of fresh produce. These areas are called food deserts and gardens are a solution. A community garden fills these voids while connecting to other like-minded community members.
Community Gardens Offer Nutritional Benefits
Fresh fruits, vegetables, and other healthy produce grown locally in community gardens are more nutritious than many that are available at grocery stores. Community members visit the garden and pick the produce they need. Freshly picked produce has more vitamins, minerals, fiber, and other healthy qualities. This gives them meal options instead of processed foods that are high in preservatives, fat, sugar, salt, and less nutritious foods.
Community Gardens Promote Economic Benefits
Food that is grown in local communities is free to those who participate in planting, growing, and maintaining the garden. This reduces the amount of money families spend on groceries, especially those that are low-income. It also gives families the opportunity to have access to a wider variety of fresh foods they cannot afford. Some community gardens have farmer’s markets where customers outside the area purchase the produce. The profit is used to maintain the community garden, also economically beneficial.
Community Gardens Benefit the Environment
Green spaces like community gardens benefit the environment in a variety of ways. Just like trees and other landscaping, the soil is enhanced, water runoff is improved, and both air and noise pollution are reduced. Gardening also provides composting that reduces waste and enhances the soil.
Community Garden. Transform Neglected Land
Many communities are experiencing blight and neglected land. Adding a garden to these properties adds beautiful sustainable areas that improve the neighborhood’s beauty and a connection to nature.
Community Gardens Offer Educational Benefits
Community gardens are real-life educational hubs. They provide learning and educational opportunities. People of all ages come together and share their knowledge about the gardening process, cycles, and harvesting. They provide hands-on experiences in agriculture nutrition, sustainability, and the environment. Additionally, since promoting the garden will be necessary to spread the word, those involved will learn about marketing, advertising, and other business-related educational benefits.
Community Gardens Create Collaborations
Successful community gardens depend on efforts from gardeners, government and business leaders, local organizations, nonprofits, and community volunteers. Things like educational workshops, fundraising, and volunteer sign-up events will engage the community and ensure the garden’s successful future. It is one step in the right direction to add a positive, sustainable living aspect to our communities.
Pari Livermore Is Dedicated to Community Gardens
Community gardens bring natural elements to neighborhoods like cleaner air, lasting beauty, and a sense of overall pride. Pari Livermore, also known as the Robinhood of Matchmaking has dedicated her life to helping others including promoting and creating gardens. For more information about her impressive work and how community gardens foster food security contact us today.
