Community Gardens

Community gardens are an important space to build skills and improve food access. 

Illinois SNAP-Ed can provide support to community gardens, help with increasing local food access, and provide nutrition education. In 2024, sixty-nine agricultural organizations, including gardens, worked with Illinois SNAP-Ed. 

Programming can be geared to your garden's specific needs

Community Nutrition Education Offerings

  • Eat.Move.Save. Booths: Eat. Move. Save. booths are more than just your typical information table; they are engaging and fun! Topics range from healthy snacks ideas using garden-fresh produce to how to prepare some of the harvested produce items in a new way. Handouts, recipes, and taste tests may also be available.
  • Community nutrition education classes: Our team members can help you determine the right curriculum for your location and audience. Contact us to learn more about available offerings.
  • Volunteer or staff training: Team members can provide informal or formal training to support staff and volunteers. Contact us for more information.

Donation Garden Support

Donation gardens partner with food pantries, backpack programs, and others to donate produce to SNAP eligible individuals and families. SNAP-Ed staff can provide assistance to donation gardens, including:

  • Connect gardens with food pantries, afterschool programs, backpack programs, and others
  • Work with garden and donation sites to develop a transportation plan for donated produce
  • Connect gardens with others to support the design, maintenance, and harvesting of produce
  • Survey produce recipients to learn about produce intake, interests, and educational needs
  • Provide garden signage promoting healthy choices to post in the donation garden 

 

green container with harvested potatoes and celery with a recipe card

The garden has become a place where the local community comes together. Produce is harvested a few times per week and taken to a distribution site for older adults. The garden has also hosted healthy eating classes for area youth. When a volunteer came to water the raised beds, they were able to pick five bags of vegetables weighing approximately 25-30 pounds - squash, peppers, eggplant, swiss chard, and tomatoes. Some crops at the garden may be new to community members or might be items they cannot afford at the store. The Douglas Discovery Garden in Vermilion County is a resource for the community to eat better and supplement their home pantry. -- IL SNAP-Ed Educator