There are countless benefits that come from gardening and being engaged in your community, but physical and mental health sit at the very top.
Gardening can improve access to nutritious food, improve nutrition, increase physical activity, and increase outdoor exposure. Many individuals also feel improved mental health, reduced stress, and a feeling of belonging from community garden involvement.
Community gardening can increase safety in a community by fostering connections between community members. It can also offer skill training that can assist in future job opportunities.
Involvement in a community garden can help preserve culture. Cultural foods not typically grown in the US can be overpriced and not fresh. Growing your own in a community garden can be a cost effective way of preserving cultural practices. It can also help educate community members of other cultures’ practices, and increase acceptance of diversity.