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What problem is being addressed?
The city of Des Moines, Washington has found a way to increase community access to healthy, fresh food that is locally grown. This improves not just the health of the citizens, but it also has environmental benefits, as the food is locally produced.
What is their innovative solution?
- Action: In Des Moines, Washington, the Daisy Sonju community garden has been transformed into a valuable resource for the community. The garden provides community members with ADA accessible, rentable space to grow their own gardens and includes a greenhouse that is used to grow produce for local food banks. The expansion of the Daisy Sonju community garden is part of a larger, city-wide initiative to improve health in the city. As part of this program, all city run programs, events, and city owned and operated facilities serve healthy foods.
- People / Partnerships: The Healthy Des Moines Movement is a product of the work done by: The Des Moines City Council, a 12-member Healthy Des Moines Technical Advisory Committee, Public Health – Seattle & King County (PHSKC) leaders, Seattle Children’s Hospital, the Healthy Highline Communities Coalition, Highline School District and consultants.
The community garden and greenhouse are run by volunteers from the community.
- Resources: The Daisy Sonju community garden expansion was funded by a $6,000 grant from the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA)
The Healthy Des Moines Movement is funded by the following partners: the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the NRPA, and South King County Community Activity Nutrition Network initiative (“I” CANN).
How can this be applied to Meadville?
Meadville already has a community garden at the MARC, and could take steps to expand their community program into a program similar to that of Des Moines. With such a program, fresh produce could be donated to the local food banks, and more citizens could rent swaths of land to grow their own food. The health of the citizens could also be improved through healthy food programs at city programs and facilities.
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