The decrease in Trenton’s population has left vacant, underused
land that is being transformed into gardens where local residents
are growing their own food; these gardens range in size from one to
10 city lots.
Isles’ low-cost assistance teaches gardeners how to grow food and provides materials for raised beds, seeds and organic pest control; volunteer help; and tools and equipment to prepare the soil. To qualify for help from Isles, four or more families must work together.
Click here to read “A Community Food Assessment in Trenton, New Jersey,” prepared by a graduate school seminar at the Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy at Rutgers University in 2005.
In 2008, more than 30 community gardens that Isles supports in Trenton raised thousands pounds of fresh produce that improved diets and strengthened finances for more than 3,000 residents. Many gardeners either can or freeze their produce, they also donate to members of their families and neighbors.
Urban gardens:
- Improve nutrition and health by providing exercise and fresh, healthy fruits and vegetables.
- Save families hundreds of dollars per year. During Trenton’s long growing season, an 800-square-foot plot can provide enough vegetables to feed a family for an entire year.
- Strengthen the community by enhancing connections between people, making the streets more secure, and giving people a chance to share food with others. Over 70% of Isles’ gardeners report that gardening greatly improves their neighborhoods.
- Clean the environment by improving soil and growing plants that filter the air.
- Beautify communities.
Garden News: Click here to visit Isles’ regularly updated blog about gardening and nutrition.
Click here to watch a video on Isles’ community gardening work.