Community Gardens: Growing More Than Just Food
Mission:
The Parramore Community Garden is dedicated to empowering residents by providing access to fresh,
nutritious food and fostering community connections. We aim to cultivate a sustainable environment that
encourages healthy living and education. Through active participation, we strive to create a sense of
belonging and stewardship within the community.
Goals:
1. Give locals, especially those living in food deserts, more access to fresh vegetables.
2. Provide instructional courses on sustainable practices, nutrition, and gardening to encourage peop
le to make educated decisions.
3. Encourage neighborhood involvement by organizing volunteer projects and social gatherings that
strengthen links between neighbors.
A Food Desert: What Is It? What makes it an issue?
A food desert is an area where access to fairly priced, nutrient-dense food is severely limited, particularly
in low-income communities.
Residents are forced to rely on processed and unhealthy food options due to this scarcity, which exacerbat
es major health issues including diabetes, obesity, and heart disease.
Living in a food desert has effects on mental health and social cohesiveness in addition to physical health.
Food deserts persist because of a variety of social, political, and economic obstacles that make it difficult
for locals to get the wholesome foods they require.
Local Case Study: Eatonville, Florida
Eatonville, Florida, epitomizes the struggle faced by many communities in Central Florida regarding food
availability. The statistics paint a stark picture of the challenges residents confront daily:
Statistic 1: Approximately 35% of residents live below the poverty line (Source: Florida Food
Availability Study), highlighting the economic struggles faced by many.
Statistic 2: Only one grocery store serves the community of over 2,000 people (Source: USDA),
underscoring the dire need for increased food access.
