Association between community garden participation and fruit and vegetable consumption in rural Missouri

Ellen K Barnidge,Kathleen Duggan,Kathryn J Barnhart,Ross C Brownson,Pamela R Hipp,Amy Estlund

doi:10.1186/1479-5868-10-128

Abstract

BackgroundFruit and vegetable consumption reduces chronic disease risk, yet the majority of Americans consume fewer than recommended. Inadequate access to fruits and vegetables is increasingly recognized as a significant contributor to low consumption of healthy foods. Emerging evidence shows the effectiveness of community gardens in increasing access to, and consumption of, fruits and vegetables.MethodsTwo complementary studies explored the association of community garden participation and fruit and vegetable consumption in rural communities in Missouri. The first was with a convenience sample of participants in a rural community garden intervention who completed self-administered surveys. The second was a population-based survey conducted with a random sample of 1,000 residents in the intervention catchment area.ResultsParticipation in a community garden was associated with higher fruit and vegetable consumption. The first study found that individuals who worked in a community garden at least once a week were more likely to report eating fruits and vegetables because of their community garden work (X2 (125) = 7.78, p = .0088). Population-based survey results show that 5% of rural residents reported participating in a community garden. Those who reported community garden participation were more likely to report eating fruits 2 or more times per day and vegetables 3 or more times per day than those who did not report community garden participation, even after adjusting for covariates (Odds Ratio [OR] = 2.76, 95% Confidence Interval [CI] = 1.35 to 5.65).ConclusionThese complementary studies provide evidence that community gardens are a promising strategy for promoting fruit and vegetable consumption in rural communities.

Highlights

Fruit and vegetable consumption reduces chronic disease risk, yet the majority of Americans consume fewer than recommended
Community gardens are associated with increased community connectedness and civic engagement, but few studies examine the effect of community garden participation on fruit and vegetable consumption [6,7,8,9]
Each study found a significant association between community garden participation and fruit and vegetable consumption; methodological issues such as use of nonvalidated measures, convenience samples, or lack of preintervention measures limit the findings

Summary

Introduction

Fruit and vegetable consumption reduces chronic disease risk, yet the majority of Americans consume fewer than recommended. Emerging evidence shows the effectiveness of community gardens in increasing access to, and consumption of, fruits and vegetables. Fruit and vegetable consumption reduces chronic disease risk [1,2], yet the majority of Americans do not meet current consumption recommendations [3]. Community gardens are associated with increased community connectedness and civic engagement, but few studies examine the effect of community garden participation on fruit and vegetable consumption [6,7,8,9]. Each study found a significant association between community garden participation and fruit and vegetable consumption; methodological issues such as use of nonvalidated measures, convenience samples, or lack of preintervention measures limit the findings. A more recent study in Denver, Colorado addressed some of these methodological issues: using an in-person population-based survey, the researchers found that those who participated in an urban community garden consumed more fruits and vegetables per day than those who did not participate in a community garden [6]

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