Reasoning & Evidence
Through existing as a shared space and requiring regular care, community gardens create opportunities for cooperation, resource-sharing, and community empowerment.(61, 62) While their settings, sizes, and structures vary, community gardens are united by being resident-led plots of land that provide access to fresh fruits, vegetables, herbs, and more. They are commonly found in parks, schools, and even hospitals. Effectively maintaining these spaces requires exchanging knowledge and teaching skills, deepening a sense of reciprocity among community members.(63) Such reciprocity is invaluable in times of collective hardship. During the COVID-19 pandemic, when unemployment was high and global supply chains were collapsing, community gardens provided safe, immediate access to healthy foods.(64)
Both the process of establishing a community garden and the outcome can foster connection. Turning an underused or dilapidated space into a platform for fresh produce, physical activity, and nature serves as a vehicle for community engagement.(65) The “final product” can act as a strong source of community pride and sense of belonging to a place, especially given the impact that community gardens can have on health, crime, and the local economy.(66) Having a shared space and working towards a shared goal can be impactful in both rural and urban communities, which may lack easy access to public spaces and/or fresh produce.(67) Conversing while gardening can lead to identifying shared challenges and potential solutions, catalyzing further collective action.(68)
While community gardens hold great potential for fostering social connection, it is important to ensure that everyone involved—regardless of their race, (dis)ability, or socioeconomic status—is able to meaningfully participate in decision-making processes and yield the fruits of their labor.(69)
Examples of Community Implementation
Seattle, Washington: The Danny Woo Community Garden in Seattle’s Chinatown-International District has been a local catalyst for social connectedness for more than 50 years. While the plots are tended to by immigrant older adults, the garden also includes a children’s area, chicken coop, and outdoor kitchen, collectively fostering intergenerational relationships. Annual events like a summer pig roast and apple cider press party celebrate the community’s rich Asian heritage and facilitate exchanging cultural knowledge between residents.
St. Louis, Missouri: With over 250 community gardens, school gardens, and urban orchards, Seed St. Louis has created a vibrant network of opportunities for people throughout the region to connect with the land and with each other. Leveraging technology as a tool to disseminate knowledge and connect residents, the organization offers 40+ free virtual classes on gardening topics, including composting, seed saving, and how to start your own community garden.
Reference: The SOCIAL Framework Report: Food and Nutrition Sector