Community perceptions of the small-town food environment, home gardening, and food equity

Keywords: Food environment, home gardening, food equity, public perceptions, qualitative study
Abstract Type: Paper Abstract

Abstract

Our purpose is to understand community perceptions of the local food environment, community food security, and food equity in a small-town food landscape. We ask the following questions: (1) Do community perceptions of food equity and community food security vary based on their micro-level location, income, and race? (2) Do residents consider home gardening a tool to address food inequity? (3) Why do some residents succeed with home gardening while others face major challenges? We interviewed 30 residents and stakeholders in Glassboro, a small college town in southern New Jersey. In addition, we recruited 30 residents in a three-month home-based vegetable gardening program, which included customized gardening workshops and health coaching activities. We did a pre- and post-program surveys and follow-up interviews with the 25 participants who completed the program. The results presented here are based on an analysis of the survey and interview data using descriptive statistics, content analysis, and coding. Our initial analysis has revealed that residents' perception of place-based social issues varies according to their micro-level location regardless of their income or race. Some of our gardening program participants were more successful than others. We conclude by summarizing the key findings and a discussion on how our understanding of public perceptions related to food equity, community food security, and the local food environment may become useful in creating planning and policy decisions at the local level.