Benefits of Non-Profit Food Gardens
Thanks to an innovative approach, public food gardens offer numerous benefits, for individual health, for society and for the planet. Here are 12 major positive impacts directly linked to the deployment and management of public food gardens.
1
Efficient food aid
The public food garden creates direct, sustainable access to fresh fruit and vegetables for people who don't usually eat them because of availability constraints or inflation in the price of fresh produce.
2
Ending food waste
Public food gardens give direct access to fresh fruit and vegetables, thus avoiding food waste: the proximity of the food garden avoids waste linked to transport, and immediate consumption as the harvest progresses avoids waste linked to the rapid expiry of fruit and vegetables.
3
Better health
Public food gardens are beneficial to the health of residents, not only because it encourages them to eat fruit and vegetables, but also because of the psychomotor and biological impact it has on physical and mental health.
4
Serene living environment
Public food gardens bring people and nature closer together, and gives more meaning to their living environment. They reduce the stress associated with food price inflation and the risk of supply chain disruptions. They also make urban temperatures more pleasant, and helpscombat climate change more effectively.
5
Edible decarbonation
Integrating public food garden at the heart of the residential environment eliminates the carbon emissions of the commercial agri-food system, and the recycling of organic matter and capture of atmospheric CO2 have a negative carbon impact. Excess CO2, harmful to the planet, is transformed into healthy food.
6
Integrated biodiversity
Public food gardens foster biodiversity by providing habitat and food for a variety of natural organisms and microorganisms (ladybugs, pollinators, earthworms, etc.). Raising residents' awareness of the benefits of the food garden also increases their sense of goodwill and commitment to protecting the environment.
7
Responsible solidarity
Public food gardens strengthen social ties, as residents are proud to manage their own food source, to be able to feed their community, and to be able to recycle their organic waste for the benefit of their own community. The many visible benefits of the public food garden also make social relations more serene.
8
Saving resources
Public food gardens make use of natural resources that are currently unused (empty space, wasted solar energy, rainwater, organic waste, spare time, etc.), and use collective resources more efficiently than financial aid or food distribution.
9
Sustainable recycling
Public food gardens enable all local organic waste to be recycled, directly on site, without the cost and transportation of recycling circuits: vegetable peelings, meal leftovers, coffee grounds, dead leaves, RCW from pruning, rinse water, etc.
10
Reduced pollution
Public food gardens reduce pollution caused by mechanized cultivation, processing, packaging, transport and marketing of fruit and vegetables. The fact that residents have direct access to fruit and vegetables in the food garden avoids all these polluting stages. Food gardens also reduce pollution from urban rainwater runoff.
11
Food sovereignty
Public food gardens help ensure greater food autonomy at local level (decentralization), and greater food sovereignty at a regional level, working towards greater resilience and stability.
12
Energy sobriety
Public food gardens help feed the population while consuming less energy. They enable residents to feed themselves while avoiding unnecessary consumption of oil and electricity.
Protect Your Health, the Planet,
and a Lot More!
14 Surprising ways fruit & vegetables will benefit your health! π©Ίπ±
Journalist Sasha Gonzales listed 14 interesting benefits of eating fruit and vegetables, all confirmed by recent medical research:
1. Reduces the risk of cancer
2. Lower risk of diabetes
3. Lower risk of cardiovascular disease
4. Lower risk of Alzheimer's disease
5. For men, lower risk of erectile dysfunction
6. For women, less period pain
7. Fewer hot flushes for menopausal women
8. Minimises arthritis and joint pain
9. Maintains healthy skin
10. Helps with hair and scalp health
11. Boosts a low mood
12. Improves sleep quality
13. Lowers medical costs
14. Increases longevity
Source: South China Morning Post https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3248075/10-surprising-ways-whole-food-plant-based-diet-benefits-health-including-better-sleep-less-arthritis
"Health Care Gardens" Benefit Patients, Visitors, and Staff π©Ίπ±
A systematic review of 18 medical studies by the Faculty of Health Sciences and Medicine of Robina, Australia suggests that implementing gardens and garden interventions in health care settings positively impacts the health and well-being of patients, visitors, and staff.
Source: Chloe Carroll, Jennifer Higgs, Sally McCray, and Jennifer Utter. Implementation and Impact of Health Care Gardens: A Systematic Scoping Review. Journal of Integrative and Complementary Medicine. http://doi.org/10.1089/jicm.2023.0212
Image: Saga Health Insurance
Every Bit of Gardening Helps π
"Gardening is good for your health. Every bit of gardening, large or small, on balconies or in containers helps. Now is the time to start. Start small and grow and through trial and error develop your yard, acreage, or even your balcony, into a beautiful and productive garden. Start small and grow."
Charles Schroder, St Albert Gazette
https://www.stalbertgazette.com/opinion/opinion-benefits-of-gardening-7797010
Charles Schrider's Blog: https://learningbygrowing.com/
Biotechnology Company @Bayer Says Fruit and Vegetables are the Best Solution for Health π΅π₯¦
Bayer researchers explain that fueling our bodies with more fruits and vegetables is a natural way to gain and retain energy and boost our immune systems. When considering the wealth in health, some direct benefits of nourishing the body with a variety of powerful produce are increased levels of protein and folic acid in legumes, Vitamin C from cauliflower, peppers, or broccoli. And the leafy greens in your salad? They are filled with compounds such as sulforaphane, which may help prevent cancer.
Join us in supporting non-profit food gardens that promote a healthier life for individuals and a greener planet for all πππ₯ #GrowBetterTogether #HealthyLiving #Nutrition #FoodGardens #Gardens4Good ; Source: Bayer
Researchers Reveal 5 Surprising Effects of Eating Fruit & Vegetables π΅π₯¦Β
π Fruit and vegetables improve eyesight in old age - source: Food & Function Research
β€οΈ Fruit & vegetables reduce dyslipidemia & coronary heart disease ; source: Plos One Research
π€― Fruit & vegetables boost memory - source: Mayo Clinic / MedicalXPress
βοΈFruit & vegetables reduce risk of chronic kidney disease (CKD) - source: National Kidney Foundation
π Fruit & vegetables boost happiness and prevent depression - source: Binghamton UniversityΒ
Non-profit food gardens for a healthy life and a healthy planet πππ₯ #HealthyLiving #Nutrition #FoodGardens #Gardens4Good ; Image: Lift Strong
According to the Research Institutes of Sweden, diets high in fruit and vegetables typically have a lower environmental footprint compared to other diets.
Source: Science Direct / Research Institute of Sweden ; Artist: Blau Blau
Did you know that foods like tomatoes, pumpkins, and apples can be your allies in maintaining healthy lungs? According to Healthline, fruits and vegetables are packed with antioxidants that can shield your respiratory system from harmful pathogens, making breathing a breeze.
HP Bharathi, Deputy Chief Medical Officer at Jindal Naturecure Institute, emphasizes the importance of a nourishing diet filled with fruits and vegetables, as they provide essential nutrients and antioxidants crucial for lung health.
Source: Mirror / Healthline | Image: μνΈμ§Β #HealthyLiving #LungHealth
Charlotte, from My Zero Waste Planet, shares her 10 good reasons for starting a vegetable garden:
Enjoy tasty vegetables
Eat vegetables bursting with vitamins
Do something for the planet
Know what you're eating
Introduce your children to gardening
Change your habits
Relax
Because gardening is also exercise
Sharing
Recycling waste
Non-profit food gardens for a healthy life and a healthy planet πππ₯ #HealthyPlanet #FoodGardens #Gardens4Good ; Source: My Zero Waste Planet
Lizzie Bertrand, Dietitian at the Mayo Clinic, explains why diets rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains and legumes, fish, healthier fats, and herbs or seeds boost the brain's memory functioning. Read more about these powerhouse foods: Mayo ClinicΒ / MedicalXPress
Image: Vigneshwar Sivakumar
Embrace a Healthy Diet for a Healthier You β¨ and a Greener Planet π±Β
Researches from the Teagasc Food Research Centre and the Aprifel Research Agency both confirm that adopting a diet rich in fruits and vegetables doesn't just benefit your health but also plays a crucial role in reducing Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions. π
Source: Teagasc Food Research Centre π & Agency for Research and Information on Fruit and Vegetables (APRIFEL) | Image Credit: Tribune India π· #HealthyDiet #SustainableLiving
Fruit & Vegetables Contain Substances that Boost Happiness β¨π
Fascinating findings from Binghamton University reveal that increasing your consumption of fruits and vegetables lead to an uplifted mood and a reduction in feelings of nervousness, hopelessness, restlessness, depression, and worthlessness. π
Their research points to the abundance of antioxidants and polyphenols in fruits, which influence various biochemical pathways related to mood. Additionally, soluble fibers positively impact gut microbiota, creating a ripple effect on well-being. ππ₯¦π
Source: Binghamton University ; Artist: B
Sep. 29 is the International Day Against Food Waste π Β
According to the United Nations, nearly 30% of food produced is lost or wasted in today's food system. By reducing this waste, we could potentially obtain 42% more food while cutting by 30% the pollution and energy expenditure in the agri-food sector. π±
Source: United Nations ; FAO ; Artist: Science Tle
π±10 Incredible Benefits of Food Gardens for Vulnerable Communities! πΏ
Based on research from the University of Sydney, here are the top 10 benefits of food gardens for vulnerable populations, ranked by how frequently they occur:
1οΈβ£ Enhance Social Connections π€
2οΈβ£ Boost Health and Well-being π
3οΈβ£ Foster Learning and Education π
4οΈβ£ Enhance Nutritional Intake π₯
5οΈβ£ Bring Financial Benefits and Savings π°
6οΈβ£ Promote Cultural Awareness π
7οΈβ£ Strengthen the Bond with Nature π³
8οΈβ£ Ensure Food Safety π
9οΈβ£ Improve Community Security π‘
π Create Employment Opportunities πΌ
Source: University of Sydney; Artist: Healthy Lifestyle
Households that grow fruit & vegetables eat 70% more of it than average population.Β
Source: University of Sheffield ; Harvard Medical School / Artist: ZB2Matrix
Growing your own fruit and vegetables means you rely less on store-bought produce, which are highly subject to price increases during inflationary periods, thus effectively countering the impact of inflation.
This benefit of food gardens was already studied by researchers in 1978: "The question of economic value of a home vegetable garden is relevant in a period of dramatic inflation. Literature indicates that interest in home vegetable gardening is at its highest level since the Victory Garden effort during World War II; 49% of U.S. households grew vegetable gardens in 1975. Produce buyers have noticed an impact on vegetable sales as urban families grow more backyard vegetables."
Source: American Society for Horticultural Science / Artist: Akhilesh Sharma