Food for Thought: The Intersection of Gardens, Education, and Community at Edible Schoolyard New Orleans
Fakharzadeh S.
Children, Youth and Environments, 25(3) (Project MUSE)
Urban Farm DB summary
A qualitative study of Edible Schoolyard New Orleans drawing on interviews and observations to examine how the school-garden program affects children. It illustrates gains in students' food security, environmental knowledge and emotional and social well-being, mapping the intersection of gardens, education and community.
Key points
- 1Edible Schoolyard New Orleans is a school gardening program established as part of Hurricane Katrina recovery efforts.
- 2The report draws on interviews and observations to illustrate the program's impact on participating students.
- 3The program positively impacted students' food security, environmental knowledge, and emotional and social well-being.
- 4The program played a unique role in children's recovery from Hurricane Katrina.
- 5Adopting aspects of New Orleans' cultural tradition into the program brought benefits and impacted the surrounding community.
Abstract and stored text
OpenAlexThis field report describes Edible Schoolyard New Orleans, a school gardening program created as part of the Hurricane Katrina recovery effort. This field report draws on interviews and observations to illustrate the program's impact on the food security, environmental knowledge, and emotional and social well-being of the students involved in the program. It also describes the program's unique role in children's recovery from Hurricane Katrina. The report details the benefits of adopting aspects of New Orleans' cultural tradition into the program, as well as the impact that the program has had on the surrounding community.
Why it matters for urban farming
This study demonstrates the profound impact urban farming initiatives, particularly school gardens, can have beyond food production. It highlights their potential to enhance food security, environmental literacy, and the emotional and social well-being of participants, especially children in recovery situations. For citizen-driven urban farms, this means recognizing their role as vital community assets that can integrate local culture, foster resilience, and contribute significantly to educational and social development, making them crucial for community building and post-crisis recovery.
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