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[7] A similar solution is working on college campuses. College campus community gardens offer a way to expand on the offerings of campus food banks. One thriving example is the Montclair State University Community Garden. After doing a survey that found that "over 4 out of every 10 students who responded to the survey may be Food Insecure during the academic semester.and may not have access to enough food, or have only low quality foods, on a regular basis" (The Montclair State University Campus Community Garden). In response, the campus decided to start a community garden.
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[8] Founded in 2018, the garden has "reclaimed and revitalized underutilized space on the campus, and has established 20 raised garden beds, totaling 1.000 square feet of growing space"(The Montclair State University Campus Community Garden). Students must apply for space in the garden, which provides food for the school's food pantry, as well as for community food banks. Not only do they provide fresh, healthier food, but since the food is grown right on campus, it is easily accessible and costs less money than stocking the shelves in a food pantry. In addition, working in the campus garden can provide money making opportunities for students, as well as additional operating funds for the food bank when extra produce is sold to the campus dining facility. The vision of the garden is to "strengthen the connections between members of the Montclair State University community and bring our community closer together,while sustainably providing fresh foods and educational resources to our community members in need" (The Montclair State University Campus Community Garden). Like the Wasatch Gardens, the community garden at Montclair does more than just fee students. It also supports the community as a whole, improving relations with the community while it assists students in need. Following the model created by Wasatch Gardens can expand upon the offerings of a campus food bank and really help students.
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[9] While starting a community garden on campus might have some initial costs, it doesn't have to break the bank. Colleges already pay for landscaping-why not plant edible landscaping and enlist students in the project? Not only would this help to round out a campus food bank, but it could even reduce costs for the college as students take on some of the work of landscapers.In addition, many colleges already have agricultural programs. Campus community gardens could be an innovative way to allow those students to get real experience running a community garden as they plan planting space, production, and coordinate getting produce to the campus food bank and to other community organizations, as well. Colleges can and should set an example for their communities by implementing this innovative and sustainable solution to food insecurity.
[10] Those who are interested in this idea can show their support by educating themselves about the benefits of community gardens, as well as food insecurity. Donating to organizations like Wasatch Gardens allows them to continue to grow and provide a model for the rest of the country for a way to give people dignity and self-respect as they learn how to feed themselves, even as their efforts help others.
[11] Wasatch Gardens provides college campuses with a model for an innovative solution that can help to alleviate food insecurity on their campuses. Even for colleges that already have a
campus food bank, adding a campus garden might be a way to enhance what food banks are already doing. Not only would campus gardens provide nutritious food for students, but it could
provide job experience for agriculture students and provide a living wage, as well. College campuses would do well to consider the benefits of incorporating a community garden on their
campuses.
Works Cited
Finley. Ron. Ron Finley: A Guerrilla Gardener in South Central LA | TED Talk.
https://www.ted.com/talks/ron_finley_a_querrilla_gardener_in_south_central_la.
