The concept of community gardens originated as a campaign to preserve green space in New York City in the 1970s. Today, community gardens are sprouting in urban metropolitan cities such as Brooklyn, New York, Detroit, Michigan, Cleveland, Ohio and many other urban areas. It is a vital necessity. The public is increasingly concerned with food accessibility, security, sustainability and sovereignty. Due to the mortgage crisis, many properties were abandoned simultaneously as large chain grocery stores exoduses from major metropolitan areas. History repeats itself from the 1960s, with European colonists abandoning newly independent African nations in the 1960s; while depleting their natural resources and infrastructures. Once economically sustainable, thriving communities now resemble ghosts’ towns from the negligence of major food businesses fleeing American cities. Communities suffer from evidence of blight, erosion of soil, toxic chemical deposits and declining property values. The remaining residents are forces to travel 45 to 90 minutes by public transportation or private vehicle. Small neighborhood operations often display stale, expired or decayed produce at manger’s special prices. What a bargain for families and children that fails to have access to healthy food. Many health studies produced by the Harvard School of Medicine, the American Medical Association and local health governmental authorities present the same statistical reports which illustrate that our health is declining. The onset of diabetes, heart and other chronic diseases is steadily rising. Many success stories such as the Detroit Black Community Policy Network, Growing Power in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and the Eden Project in DeWitt, Michigan (Mt. Zion’s Church of All Nations) are prime examples of grassroots organizations redefining and reclaiming their sovereignty concerning food issues. Learning about these projects is a worthwhile study on-line.
Community garden, reclassifying of land use for urban farming and fresh food based businesses shall motivate consumers to achieve better food consumption practices. At this time, Fair Food Network has been promoting the Double-Up Food program. It is the rage for those who do not wish to participate in community gardening. In order to qualify one must be a Food Stamp Recipient. The consumer shall choose to purchase items valued up to $20. Tokens are provided at an equal amount for spending at the local farmers’ markets only. For example, if $4 is spent; the program matches the same amount in tokens. The same rules apply if the consumer spends $20 the program will match, $20 in tokens. The consumer will receive a total of $40 to spend. The program shall end in October. Visit the following markets: Allen Street Farmers’: Wednesdays 2:30-7pm, Bath Farmer Market; Thursdays 3-7pm, East Lansing Farmers; Sundays 10-2pm, Lansing City Market; Tues-Fri; 10-6pm, South Lansing Community Farmers Market; Saturdays; 10-2 pm.
This was printed in the August 28, 2011 – September 10, 2011 Edition
