Community Gardens Impact on Food Security and Health

Community gardens directly impact a community�s health. Community gardens increase food security by providing safe, affordable, healthy food options for their local community. This presentation will discuss 1) how to recruit and retain community partners; 2) how to actively engage community partners in decision making processes surrounding the garden and produce; and 3) how to incorporate nutrition and physical activity education into a community garden setting. University of Missouri Extension partners with hundreds of community agencies throughout the state to provide educational programs as well as locally produced foods that is incorporated into community meals.