Building Community and Promoting Healthy Lifestyles through Urban Gardening

Website

www.semsuccess.org

Twitter handle

: semlink

Overview of Idea

SEM Link plans to build healthier communities in Oakland by hosting a competition to encourage schools and their surrounding neighborhood to garden for a day. Our hope is to promote healthy lifestyles and create sustainable resources for families to have access to fresh fruits and vegetables.

The Specifics: What will the $1,500 fund?

SEM Link is starting an urban gardening program at selected community and school gardens in Oakland, California. Many urban areas, like Oakland, lack access to quality food and fresh fruits and vegetables; these food deserts contribute to unhealthy eating habits and higher rates of obesity, diabetes, and hypertension. In order to address this issue, SEM Link plans to promote science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) and nutrition education while building healthier communities by hosting a competition to encourage schools and their surrounding neighborhood to garden for a day. The community or school garden with the most participation will receive seeds and garden supplies for the upcoming season.

Discussion

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