The introduction of community gardens reduces the impact of food deserts in low-income areas and allow residents greater access to nutritious food that is necessary to live a healthy life.
A food dessert is anywhere farther than three miles from a grocery store. There are many reasons for the distance, but community gardens could be a solution because they include so many other benefits including:
Community gardens:
- Help improve air and soil quality
- Increase biodiversity of plants and animals
- Reduce “food miles” that are required to transport nutritious food
- Can replace impervious structures and improve water infiltration
- Can reduce neighborhood waste through composting
- Positively impact the urban micro-climate
Low accessibility to nutritious foods can cause health problems to residents located in food deserts. Community gardens are beneficial in these areas because they:
- Increase access to fresh foods
- Improve food security
- Increase physical activity through garden maintenance activities
- Improve dietary habits through education
- Increase fruit and vegetable intake
- Reduce risk of obesity and obesity-related diseases
- Improve mental health and promote relaxation
If you or community is interested in starting a community garden, check out this awesome resource for starting community gardens from Tulsa Food Security.
If you’re interested in joining an existing community garden, check out the list below to find one near you. Contact us to add your community’s garden to this list!
Creek County
Caring Community Friends
12 W Burnham Ave, Sapulpa, OK 74066
Contact | Facebook
Muskogee County
City of Muskogee
Spaulding Park
E Okmulgee Ave.
Contact: (918) 684-6392
Civitan Park
3301 Gibson St.
Contact: (918) 684-6302
Chandler Road
Contact: (918) 684-6302
Teen Center
322 Callahan St.
Contact: (918) 684-6345
MLK Community Center
300 W Martin Luther King St.
Contact: (918) 684-6314
Oklahoma County
Urban Neighbors
417 West Park Place, Oklahoma City, OK 73103
Contact:
Shelley Pruitt
405-326-6011
Contact | Facebook
Tulsa County
Brady Heights Community Garden
Brady Heights Historic Neighborhood District, N. Cheyenne Ave.
Contact: Nathan Pickard
918-732-9191
Broken Arrows Neighbors Community Garden
315 W. College, Broken Arrow, OK
Contact: Kim Goddard
918-251-7781
Email
Challenger Park 7
3909 W. 41st St., Tulsa, OK
Contact: Karen Nelson
602-793-6684
Email | Facebook
North Regional Health & Wellness Center Garden
5635 N. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd
Contact: Patrick Hilton
918-582-9355
Email
PH Community Garden
306 S. Phoenix Ave, Tulsa
Contact: Tyler Black
Riverwood Community Garden
6202 S. Peoria, Tulsa, OK
Contact: Mey Satteren
918-533-3696
Email
Tipton Community Garden
2211 E. 1st St., Tulsa, OK
Contact: Lori Wright E.D.
918-852-3284
Turley Welcome Table
6005 N. Johnstown Ave. Turley, OK
Contact: Bonnie Ashing
918-346-3475
Email | Facebook
Victory Community Garden
5502 S. Harvard Ave. Tulsa, OK
Contact: Pastor Kevin Howard
918-742-5509
Welcome Table Garden Park
5201-5299 N Rockford Ave, Tulsa, OK 74126
Contact: Bonnie Ashing
918-346-3475
Email | Facebook
Global Gardens
Asbury Corner
9737 E 66th St, Tulsa, OK
Contact: Colby Craige
918-219-3494
Email | Facebook
Family Food Farm
9743 E 66th St, Tulsa, OK
Contact: Colby Craige
918-219-3494
Email | Facebook
The Harvest Garden
4407 South Olive Avenue, Broken Arrow, OK
Contact: Brenda Nickels
918-231-0338
Email | Facebook