Community Program Proposal: Getting Back to the Roots

1. COMMUNITY PROGRAM
PROPOSAL: GETTING
BACK TO THE ROOTS
Danielle Matthews

2. PROBLEM IN THE COMMUNITY
Lack of access to transportation and healthy foods
Lack of resources for healthy foods
Increasing incidence of chronic conditions affected by diet
Increasing food deserts in Greenville

3. RESEARCH IN OTHER AREAS
Use of community gardens to improve nutrition
Use of Farmer’s Markets
Use of mobile markets that take food stamps
None have been an adequate solution for Greenville’s population

4. WHY HAVE THESE NOT WORKED?
Lack of trust within the community
Lack of funding and land for a community garden
Safety concerns
Many do not use grass root movements and lay people to
incorporate change

5. HOW DO WE BRING ABOUT
CHANGE?
Take advantage of the resources within Clemson Extension and the
agricultural background that is present
Embrace the new role of Health Extension
Keep it simple
Problem is access to healthy foods, so provide access
“Feed a man and he eats for a day, but teach a man to fish (garden) and he eats for
a lifetime.”

6. SOLUTION
Unity Gardens
Home box gardens

7. HOW?
Use grass root efforts and lay health workers within Clemson
Extension
Collaborate with Greenville Health System and Accountable
Communities to identify eligible candidates on a referral basis

8. BENEFITS
Improved access to healthy foods
Improved nutrition
Reduced dependence on food services
Increased autonomy
Increased safety and better adapted to a larger city
Potential for supplemental income
Promotes unity within the community

9. THANK YOU!