Community gardens provide numerous benefits. If you’ve been involved in one, you have experienced some of them. One of our features, “This Garden Grows Community,” about a congregation in the Oakley Community of Asheville, North Carolina, shares some of the benefits they have experienced. We are heartened to know there are many more examples out there.
In addition to bringing people together to create healthy and strong communities, increasing involvement and personal satisfaction, we love that community gardening increases fruit and vegetable consumption.
Adults who participate in community gardening eat 1.4 times more fruits and vegetables per day than those who do not. Community gardeners are 3.5 times more likely to eat five or more fruit or vegetable servings each day. Fruits and vegetables grown in a garden may be less expensive and more readily available than produce at a grocery store. Planting and harvesting vegetables are great ways for adults to learn about new foods.
Is there a community garden near you? Check it out!
Source: “Eat Smart Move More North Carolina: Growing Communities through Gardens”
