Cultivating a healthier community: One seed at a time through a community gardens

In the US Black Americans have disproportionately more cancer and heart diseases, are twice as likely to have type 2 diabetes, and 1.5 times more likely to have high blood pressure than Whites of similar backgrounds. Poor nutrition and physical inactivity are key risk factors in developing these lifestyle diseases, especially for individuals living in disadvantaged communities where fresh produce is often hard to find and expensive. Community gardens have been identified as one approach to enhance nutrition and physical activity, promoting health in a holistic way thus resulting in higher quality of life. To inform program development, graduate students conducted a targeted needs and assets assessment with members, health leaders, and administrators at a church in Fontana, CA. Triangulated data were collected through ethnographies, windshield surveys, literature reviews, site observations, eight theory-based semi-structured interviews, and a confirmatory focus group. Data were coded, themed and analyzed using Grounded Theory methods. Results indicated a persistent lack of knowledge about the seriousness and early signs and risk factors for diabetes and high blood pressure, and barriers such as limited access to healthy food choices and age appropriate venues for physical activity, resulting in a lack of motivation to establish healthier lifestyle habits. A pilot program was developed, implemented, and process and impact evaluation used for continuous program improvement. Lessons learned will be discussed including grant proposal submission for program and community garden sustainability.