Urban Gardens: Part of a Whole System Approach

Laura Lavid

doi:10.5304/jafscd.2013.032.012

Abstract

Hallsworth and Wong ask the question, "Does encouraging urban gardening in private and/or community lots meaningfully improve [Vancouver's] food system?" (2013, p. 3). They believe the answer is no, but community gardens and urban agriculture do impact a city's food system. Are they the only solution? No. In our world of recessions and fiscal cliffs, so much seems to revolve solely on economics while other significant benefits are often discredited or diminished. Community gar-dens are important aspects of an urban landscape for its people and environment, but also do impact the economics, on the individual and community levels as well.

Highlights

Even though most plots are relatively small, a community gardener is able to produce a significant amount of produce
Box 12311, Gainesville, Florida 32604 USA; +1-352-377-6345; laura@foginfo.org community garden can yield around USD500 to USD2,000 worth of produce per family a year” (PolicyLink, n.d., “Why Use It?” bullet “Save families money...”)
A study in Denver found that compared to nongardeners or home gardeners, community gardeners ate significantly more fruits and vegetables (Litt, Soobader, Turbin, Hale, Buchenau, & Marshall, 2011)

Summary

Introduction

Even though most plots are relatively small, a community gardener is able to produce a significant amount of produce. Laura Lavid is Community Food Project Coordinator at Florida Organic Growers, P.O. Box 12311, Gainesville, Florida 32604 USA; +1-352-377-6345; laura@foginfo.org community garden can yield around USD500 to USD2,000 worth of produce per family a year” (PolicyLink, n.d., “Why Use It?” bullet “Save families money...”). Do community gardeners grow healthy produce, but they eat it.

Results

Conclusion