Overview of link between community gardens, food deserts and food insecurity

1. Community Gardens, Farmers
Markets, Food Deserts &
DIVERSITY
MAKING THE CONNECTION

2. AFTER THE GARDEN, NOW WHAT?
 What is food insecurity?
 True or False: Food insecurity and hunger are the same thing.
 Is there a link between food insecurity and race/ethnicity?
 Is there a link between food insecurity and class?
 Is there a link between food insecurity and geography?
 What is a food desert?

3. Study of Food Prices Conducted in
London Ontario, Canada
- Compared cost
of filling
ONTARIO NUTIRIOUS
FOOD BASKET (ONFB)
-66 items from all four
food groups
-Compared prices in
2005 and 2008

4. London Ontario – A Food Desert

5. Key Findings
 Farmers’ market increased availability of healthy
food
 Residents living in Old East paying only 5.7% more
than average supermarket prices
 NOT EVERYONE shops at the farmers’ market
 Farmers’ market can significantly decrease costs of
living in neighborhood without a supermarket

6. Photos Taken in Birmingham Neighborhoods

7. Birmingham (Ala.). Study of Food Deserts (2010)