Three Pilot Community Garden projects were funded in the Texas- New Mexico border region in 2011 in order to foster healthy homes and communities. This region is characterized by high obesity rates, inadequate access to health care and household food insecurity. Overall, four gardens- two in city neighborhoods in El Paso, TX and two in schools in Anthony and Las Cruces, NM were established. These pilot projects aim to positively impact community nutrition by increasing access to healthy foods through sustainable and environmentally sensitive food production. Program participants included school children, youth in juvenile probation programs, and the elderly. A mixed methods research study evaluated the immediate health outcomes for participating children and adults, and the sustainability of these gardens. Specifically, program process related to community capacity building to produce food, efficacious land and water use, and outcomes related to physical and mental health were examined through 25 individual interviews, 10 focus groups and customized Community Food Security Coalition (2006) surveys (N= 142) among participating youth, community members and parents of participating youth.
Process evaluation measures reveal regionally and culturally sensitive community-based approaches undertaken to gain community ownership in the gardens, and land use approaches related to land ownership, irrigation and soil quality in order to sustain these gardens beyond the funding period. Over 80% of community members indicate increased community involvement and donating food to others in the community due to their participation in the garden. Outcome evaluation indicators show that over 80% of community members surveyed report being better able to provide food for their families, eat healthier and, being more physically active due to the community gardens while a majority of youth (< 75%) report eating more fruits and vegetables and, trying new varieties of the same due to program participation. The design, evaluation methodology and results of the pilot gardens with emphasis on land use strategies and community health outcomes will be addressed during this poster presentation. The best practices and lessons learned from these pilot gardens have implications for health promotion through environmentally sensitive community garden design in arid regions.
Process evaluation measures reveal regionally and culturally sensitive community-based approaches undertaken to gain community ownership in the gardens, and land use approaches related to land ownership, irrigation and soil quality in order to sustain these gardens beyond the funding period. Over 80% of community members indicate increased community involvement and donating food to others in the community due to their participation in the garden. Outcome evaluation indicators show that over 80% of community members surveyed report being better able to provide food for their families, eat healthier and, being more physically active due to the community gardens while a majority of youth (< 75%) report eating more fruits and vegetables and, trying new varieties of the same due to program participation. The design, evaluation methodology and results of the pilot gardens with emphasis on land use strategies and community health outcomes will be addressed during this poster presentation. The best practices and lessons learned from these pilot gardens have implications for health promotion through environmentally sensitive community garden design in arid regions.
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