Addressing Food Insecurity in Food Deserts for Children Through Container Gardening

ABSTRACT

According to the USDA Economic Research Service (2019), 12.8 % of people across the U.S. live in low-access and low-income census (LALI) tracts that have less access to affordable, nutritious foods. According to Patrick and Nicklas (2005), "children are more likely to eat foods that are available and easily accessible" (p. 83). Family and consumer sciences (FCS) professionals know that diets high in fruits and vegetables have been linked to a decreased risk of chronic disease, an increase in satiety, improved health, and maintenance of a healthy weight (Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, 2010). Child nutrition programs (e.g., school lunch, breakfast, healthy snack programs, other governmental sponsored programs like Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), and commodities) are directly targeted at families to address nutritional needs (USDA Food and Nutrition, 2020).