COMMUNITTY GARDENS

A community garden is a shared green space where people come together to grow a variety of produce. These gardens are often located on city land and can be situated on vacant or abandoned lots, putting the space to better use and beautifying the landscape. Community gardens offer access to a plot or area to grow food and can even help supply fruits and vegetables in food deserts — neighborhoods where there is limited access to fresh produce. Each community garden operates differently and uniquely. Some provide garden plots to an individual or group, while others may be structured where each person volunteers to tend and maintain the garden. If you’re interested in joining a community garden, start by asking around your own community: community centers, parks and recreation centers, libraries, schools, and even your local city hall might be able to connect you with a community garden. If there are no community gardens near you, consider starting one yourself. Find out if your neighbors would like to help organize and join the effort.