The Problem
There are 37 areas in Allen County are considered food deserts, or areas where people don\'t have access to grocery stores and fresh food. Approximately 14% of our population is food insecure, including children. Many individuals face spending trade-offs that lead to food insecurity. Research also shows that food-insecure individuals are more likely to have chronic diseases, such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease, resulting in higher healthcare costs. Our community garden hopes to address some of these issues in our community. We plan to provide raised beds for community youth to grow food with their families, early childhood education through on-site events, agri-tourism, and row crops designed to create a continued harvest that we can distribute throughout the community. The U.S. Department of Agriculture considers a food desert as a low-income area that also has low access to nutritious food. According to the most recent data from 2019, several south and southeast Fort Wayne neighborhoods are considered food desert territory. Our community garden will provide seasonal harvests to aid in hunger relief, develop a culture around urban farming and promote a generation of agricultural thinkers These factors provide a glimpse into the barriers faced in this community. We feel that an approach toward healthy living and sustainable agriculture can have a long term impact in empowering this area.
