Community gardening: An effective strategy for empowerment, development and health promotion in underserved & disadvantaged communities

San Bernardino (SB) County is the home to a large population of low-income, disadvantaged, and underserved individuals carrying a large disease burden of cardiovascular disease, hypertension, and type 2 diabetes. Limited access to nutritious foods, a safer environment for outdoor activity, and a lack of knowledge about healthy living are major contributors. Community gardens have been identified as one approach to enhancing healthier lifestyles and promoting improved quality of life. Guided by needs and asset assessments (NA+A), a faith-based collaborative titled “Back to Eden Community Gardens” has established gardens in 5 cities with over 168 gardening plots, representing nearly 300 families; in addition to two container gardening projects. Thirty eight participants attended a train-the-trainer workshop for sustaining and supporting the gardens at their various sites. Pre-test and Post-tests were administered at the beginning and end of each workshop and before every gardening activity to provide feedback for improvement and to assess program impact. There was a 70% increase in knowledge and skills, with a 50% increase in their access to fresh fruits and vegetables. The most commonly expressed reasons for participating in the gardens were access to a variety of fresh produce, increased family time, increased physical activity, fellowship, and learning new skills. A free health clinic was also conducted at each site testing for hemoglobin A1C, a complete lipid profile, creatinine, height, weight, body mass index (BMI) and blood pressure. Baseline clinic results were compared to post- clinic (4-6 months) results. Results will be discussed in light of sustainability.