Creating Community Through Urban Gardens

摘要

u22Creating Community Through Urban Gardeningu22 represents the commitment of four individuals to assist the Oregon Food Bank (OFB) in its efforts to meet the food needs of the people of Oregon. The project was specifically designed to assist OFB in achieving its strategic goals which seek to u22triple the amount of quality food acquired and made available to disadvantaged peopleu22 and to u22impact the conditions underlying hunger and to promote the empowerment of disadvantaged people to achieve economic independence.u22 The work of the project explored strategies for an urban gardening program that could be implemented by OFB. This report is intended to provide OFB and its Board of Directors an overview of urban gardening options, to outline three possible implementation alternatives and to make recommendations about further action.The report examines challenges and opportunities offered by each alternative, paying closer attention to its ability to impact the conditions underlying hunger than to the quantity of food produced. This approach is based on the ethic of providing a hand up for those in need of food. This projectu27s long term goal is to contribute not only to the nutritional needs of disadvantaged people, but to improve their self-esteem and economic condition as well.The report also reviews other issues related to any gardening or fanning effort OFB may choose to undertake. Specific attention was given to identifying any regulations that might need to be considered in selecting an alternative to implement: Issues related to operation and production of any undertaking are presented in broad terms. The intent is to provide a starting point for good decision making and not to present a blueprint for a specific alternative.The report includes three recommendations: Determine if the Local Member Agencies (LMAs) and clients desire (more) fresh produce and that the LMAs can store and distribute it. Establish priorities for OFBu27s strategic goals and objectives that relate to increasing the quantity of food available and addressing the conditions underlying hunger. Concentrate OFB resources to maximize the effectiveness of the chosen option(s) to achieve its strategic plan goals and objectives. These recommendations are included to encourage OFB to make careful and rational choices from the objectives proposed in its strategic plan.