Urban Farm DB
Research catalogue
Database research record2011·South Africa

The contribution of community gardens to food security in the Maphephetheni uplands

Stephen Odede. Shisanya, Sheryl L. Hendriks

Development Southern Africa

Urban Farm DB summary

This study evaluated the contribution of community gardens to alleviating food insecurity for 53 community gardeners in Maphephetheni, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Using the Household Food Insecurity Access Scale, it was found that 89% of these households were anxious about food supplies, consumed insufficient food, and were severely food insecure. Additionally, 72% consumed poor quality food. Community gardens were unable to solve the problem of food insecurity, but their contribution to consumption cannot be entirely ignored.