Imagine a community garden not only educating its members of the community but also preventing crime. Community gardens have been proven to show how its effectiveness can provide for one another and now help lower crime. This can help elevate a community into its best potential, bringing safety and protection through a garden. The Garden Matters states “While vacant lots can be magnets for litter and criminal activity, community gardens are observed and managed by the gardeners, resulting in a cleaner space and more active local community. All of this often comes at little or no cost to the city” (Schmelzkopf, 1995).
If communities took the time to create a community garden not one individual would go hungry. There would be less welfare use,
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In the Real Estate Economics by Loan Voicu and Vicki Been both explain how developers run into a constant issue of a vacant area that has the potential to grow into a succeeding community garden or used for housing property. This is the debate that if there is a potential spot or piece of land that can be used for a community garden there will not be a sudden property value increase as if a complex where to be built there would be an increase by eleven percent. However this is not the most valid argument, property values vary and change throughout each county, city, and state. Also each year there is either an increase or decrease in property values because of the constant change in the economy. Been and Voicu claim that “In preliminary research, we also investigated the effect of community gardens on neighboring commercial property values. Findings suggest that gardens do not have any significant immediate impacts on neighboring commercial property values, although some benefits may occur over time.” (Loan Voicu and Vicki Been 243). However the University of Chicago has conducted research that shows the raise in property values because of community gardens. “The study found that community gardens have statistically significant positive effects on values of property within 1,000 feet of the garden. Interestingly, the authors found that these positive effects were strongest in lower income level …show more content…
Sharing food from the garden, as well as favorite recipes, contributes to relationship building which in turn, can lead to community cohesion and enhanced levels of acceptance and belonging. The latter is related to social capital, an important aspect of well being not so widely reported as the more tangible physical health benefits of community gardens.” This displays how positive mental and physical health are contributed by community gardens. Also the center of disease control states that “connecting people to gardening in five core fields: plant-based education, health and wellness, environmental stewardship, community development, and responsible home gardening.” These are fundamental necessities when creating a project that helps assists a community into better success, in this case food understanding and food security is a topic that many Americans lack in education. As a community we need to help upraise each other in education and health. The definition of health is described by the dictionary as "Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity." In America 3.2 million children are going hungry each day, this lack of nutrients at adolescence can cause many mental and growth defects. Why are we allowing this to happen?
In “Called Home”, the first chapter of the book Animal, Vegetable, Miracle: A Year in Food Life, Barbara Kingsolver presents her concerns about America's lack of food knowledge, sustainable practices, and food culture. Kingsolver introduces her argument for the benefits of adopting a local food culture by using statistics, witty anecdotal evidence, and logic to appeal to a wide casual reading audience. Her friendly tone and trenchant criticism of America's current food practices combine to deliver a convincing argument that a food culture would improve conditions concerning health and sustainability. I agree with Kingsolver that knowing the origin of food is an important and healthy benefit of developing a true food culture, but it is impractical to maintain that everyone is able to buy more expensive food. Kingsolver presents a compelling argument for developing a food culture, however this lifestyle change may not be practical or even possible for a poverty-level citizen. The following essay will summarize and respond to Kingsolver’s argument to demonstrate how “Called Home” is a model for novice social scientists.
...nough. “If you pour all these resources into keeping kids alive, without following up on their long-term health through more extensive gardening projects and nutritional education programs, then you’re just wasting everyone’s time, money, and energy (Dettwyler 1994: 145).”
A major issue that is occurring in America is a phenomena known as “food deserts”, most are located in urban areas and it's difficult to buy affordable or good-quality fresh food. Whereas in the past, food deserts were thought to be solved with just placing a grocery store in the area, but with times it has become an issue that people are not picking the best nutritional option. This issue is not only making grocery store in food deserts are practically useless and not really eliminating the issue of food deserts because even when they are given a better nutritional option, and people are not taking it. In my perspective, it takes more than a grocery store to eliminate ‘food deserts’. It's more about demonstrating the good of picking the nutritional option and how it can help them and their families. For example, “Those who live in these areas are often subject to poor diets as a result and are at a greater risk of becoming obese or developing chronic diseases.”(Corapi, 2014).
A community health assessment of the Hillside-Quadra area was performed and considered various aspects of the community, including the population, the socioeconomic environment, and health and social services. Personal communication with some of the residents determined that food insecurity is of major significance for many in the community. “Food insecurity exists within a household when one or more members do not have access to the variety or quantity of food they need due to lack of money” (Statistics Canada, 2015). Community kitchens (CK), are easily adapted to an IFK concept, have been implemented by two communities within Victoria (Appendix B; Personal Communication) and are capable of serving as a public health initiative that benefits the communities they serve (Iacovou et al.,
If the community organizes a locavore movement, it will forge an easier method for individuals to acquire all the nutrients they need and a larger supply of healthy foods. A greater amount of people are malnourished in vitamins and minerals (some they may not even know exists) which most processed food do not contain. This is why fresh foods from local farmer’s markets are superior considering that “‘Nowadays, we know a lot more about the naturally occurring substances in produce,’ said [Cynthia] Sass. ‘It’s not just vitamins and minerals,
"We all grew up in communities with grandmothers who cooked two, three vegetables that you had to eat. There was no ifs, ands or buts about it. But that's because many of our grandparents, they had community gardens; there was the vegetable man that came around. There were many other resources that allowed them to have access. So it's not that people don't know or don't want to do the right thing; they just have to have access to the foods that they know will make their families healthier ("Michelle Obama in Chicago," 2011). People who have options of vegetables and fish products in grocery stores eat better and will have better outcome on health (Edberg, 2007).
President Obama once said, “As the wealthiest nation on Earth, I believe the United States has a moral obligation to lead the fight against hunger and malnutrition, and to partner with others.” Food insecurity has always been an issue of the public as well as around the world. For so long, many generations of Americans have been living in poverty or in a low income state. It would be surprise as to how many Americans are living in poverty. As a result of this living situation, there are problems that arise with it. One of the problems is food insecurity. Food insecurity can be simply explained as not having access to affordable and quality food. This problem can lead to serious
Food insecurity is an issue faced by millions of Americans every day, and the biggest group affected by this is working families with children. Food insecurity is so big that the United States government has now recognized it and provided a definition for it. The United States government has defined food insecurity as “a household level economic and social condition of limited or uncertain access to adequate food” (USDA.gov). Food banks and anti-hunger advocates agree that some of the causes of food insecurity are stagnant wages, increase in housing costs, unemployment, and inflation of the cost of food. These factors have caused food banks to see a change in the groups of people needing assistance. Doug O’Brien, director of public policy and research at Chicago-based Second Harvest says “’we’ve seen a real shift in who we serve. A decade ago, it was almost always homeless, single men and chronic substance abusers. Now we have children and working families at soup kitchens’” (Koch). These families that are feeling the effects of food insecurity will not be only ones affected by it, but all of America. Studies have shown that there is a link between food security, performance in the classroom, and obesity. If this issue is not faced head on, America will have a generation of children not fully prepared for the workforce and high health insurance rates due to obesity health issues.
It is true that growing foods on a farm show that there 's no bad “chemicals” added in the food which starts all out as seeds. If only it weren’t for the fact that again, college students just don’t have time. Along with that, some students live alone in an apartment complex and, I’m sure not too many apartments have an outside area big enough for a private garden. As a college student myself, I find it easier just going to the grocery stores and farmer’s markets to get my food; then again, I still live with my parents and they pay for the groceries. Thankfully, I don’t have to travel to the real farms to get farm-fresh produce; the food comes to local places like the hospital and downtown on certain dates. I suppose a tip for college students; in reality, traveling to the grocery store is easier because it’s a once-per-week-deal while keeping watch over a garden is an every-day-deal and students have things to keep up
While “home-economics” has been in the school system for more than 60 years, the current version doesn’t typically do a very good job of teaching the basics of cooking. Much of the “food science” portion is centered around making “fun” items that the children will enjoy eating, and typically stays away from utilizing most fruits and vegetables in their curriculum (Cade, Clarke, Edwards, Fraser, 2010). Not only does this help solidify the fact that vegetables are “unnecessary” in a child’s mind, but it also sets them up for failure in creating nutritious dishes that actually taste good. It’s a never ending cycle then through adulthood, of eating fatty calorie laden items and thinking that vegetables are only good when covered in ranch dressing or
Former editor of Us News and World Report and recipient of Guggenheim Award,Stephen Budiansky in his article, “Math Lessons For Locavores”,published in August 19,2012 addresses the topic of locally grown food and argues it as a more sustainable choice in terms of freshness and seasons.I agree with Budiansky for growing food locally,however; with three other reasons: we can reduce food waste,(which will benefit the environment), and obesity(which will help an individual mentally and physically), and improve our economy. The purpose is to illustrate why locally grown foods would be a finer option for an American lifestyle. Budiansky adopts an informative,persuasive,and insightful tone for his audience,readers
For economists and politicians, there are a few things that still are not considered, and the missing answers are only piling up; someone always has to win or lose out. Food policies are one of them. Bringing urban agriculture to cities is an incomparable move. When community food growing flourishes, the consumers seem to be healthier and smarter about what they eat, less p...
Purchasing my first home was a monumental moment for me, yet there were so many steps involved. The acquisition was a process, far more extensive than I had ever realized. I had select criteria, and felt I satisfied this well. As a mother I needed a clean and safe environment in which to raise my daughter; as a first time home-buyer, I had to do this within a modest budget. I found a quiet little neighborhood on the edge of town; it was a dream come true. It was the perfect family neighborhood. I bought a cute little house in a cul-de-sac, no more apartments, and no more stringent guidelines. I had a protected investment and felt in control. I am not an experienced home-buyer, so it is quite possible I missed a few warning signs. My neighborhood is replete with rental properties. Neighbors came and went, few with lasting ties. There was a noticeable decline in property maintenance, as well as morale. If you’ve ever mistaken the neighbor’s home for a yard sale, then you know what must be done. In order to protect our investments, the residents of Windsor Village need to organize a homeowner’s association.
Healthy and affordable food choices on the go or even just in the store is a huge and worldwide ongoing problem that of course cannot be fixed overnight. To help start and put one foot forward to improvements in the availability of healthy food options and choices in lower income neighborhoods, we as a community and as a whole should do the following. Many different methods could be tried to help solve the problem. This is simply because one method may not work as well as the other. As Denis Waitley says “Failure should be our teacher, not our undertaker”.
Have you ever considered what is in the food you are feeding your children? Most foods that are bought at the neighborhood grocery stores are considered global foods which are packed with additives and chemicals making them far less nutritious than local produce from the community farmer‘s market. After much research, I have concluded that it is better to buy produce which is grown locally rather than produce which is sourced globally (from other countries). I think this is important because most people, like myself, buy global foods and do not realize how much better local foods are for the local economy, the global environment, and our personal nutrition. Nutrition is vital to the healthy of everyone especially children, so with the purchase of local fresh produce, it can ease the worry in parents of what children as well as ourselves are ingesting.