| Community gardens provide many benefits, including increased mental and physical health, social inclusiveness and cohesiveness, and an increased connection between individuals and their environment. In some U.S. cities gardens additionally increase community and individual food security by providing fresh food to those who struggle to feed themselves and their families. This study examined the potential for community gardens to increase food security in Denver, and is one of the first studies of its kind in this location. Specifically, I investigated who participates in community gardening and why they participate, whether community gardens are accessible, and whether gardens have the potential to improve individual and community food security. To do this, I gathered behavioral, perceptional, and demographic data from surveys (n=203) and semi-structured interviews (n=14 interviewees). I also used a variance-to-mean ratio, kernel density estimation, and walksheds to analyze the spatial distribution, accessibility, and demographic representativeness of community gardeners compared to residents surrounding gardens. Despite the national and local importance of the issue of food security and hunger reduction, gardeners in my study spoke more about mental and physical health, and social benefits of gardening. Based on their survey responses, I classified fourteen respondents as food insecure, which suggests that many gardeners in Denver are food secure. Additionally, I found that community gardeners are somewhat demographically representative of nearby residents, and the community gardens are accessible to those who currently use them. Results from this study can advise Denver's Sustainable Food Policy Council in their suggestions to the city to institutionally assist in food insecurity and hunger reduction efforts. |
