Urban horticulture in the contemporary united states: Personal and community benefits

The early history of urban gardens in the United States of America is one of food production in response to war, economic depression, and short-lived civic reform movements. During the past thirty years, a broad-based community garden movement has spawned a wide variety of social, economic, health, and educational benefits in more than 250 cities and towns across the country. A companion food security movement has promoted urban-rural linkages, urban agriculture, and farmers' markets. Studies have shown that community gardens and nearby green space in cities are an important response to needs for nutritious and affordable food, psychological and physiological health, social cohesion, crime prevention, recreation, and life satisfaction, particularly in low-income communities.