Our Impact

West Valley Gardens understands the challenges faced by many and is committed to increasing and diversifying access to hands-on education and unique learning opportunities for all colleges and communities. We strive to alleviate food insecurity and build meaningful partnerships with native communities in Arizona, recognizing the importance of support and connection for everyone involved. 

Our mission is to provide a community garden for students of Arizona State University’s West Valley Campus to promote access to affordable, fresh produce and community engagement. The garden serves as a sustainable source of fresh produce for ASU students on the West Valley campus and also as an educational resource for the West Valley community. 

Food insecurity is a major issue facing many across the US. According to the USDA in 2021, 33.8 million people lived in a food insecure household. This same survey showed that 10.4% of Arizonans lived with low or very low food security between the years of 2019-2021. Many who fall within this category come from a background of low-income families. 

Currently, at ASU, 50% of the student population comes from a family below Arizona’s median income of $50,000. 

The AZ Board of Regents conducted a survey showing that 26% of the ASU student population fell within the range of food insecurity (AZ Regents, 2021).