COMMUNITY GARDEN

The REACH Community Garden program serves to educate the community on organic food systems and regenerative environmental practices. This program aids in giving access to fresh produce with our community growing plots, research of what grows well in the area as well as mental health relief with our Zen garden.

Through youth health and wellness programs and events, we are able to REACH many diverse backgrounds, bringing together all walks of life that would have not connected otherwise.

To promote health and wellness, food security and self sustainability in underrepresented communities are the thriving goals of the REACH Community Garden project.

The problem is that two thirds of our local children live in poverty and they are hungry. There’s not enough food at home. These children are enrolled in the National School Lunch Program and receive breakfast and lunch each weekday. But what do they eat on the weekends? Hunger leads to health problems, stunted growth, lack of concentration, poor school performance, and a host of emotional issues.

Our biggest challenges have been the access to resources needed to grow with a decrease in funding, procuring & retaining volunteers with a continuous change in COVID-19 protocols as well as adaptive learning on processes and best practices to grow as California City, CA has many environmental extremities such as: wind, heat and hungry animals. By creating meaningful community relationships, securing volunteers with aligned skills & diversifying our growing techniques we overcame our challenges.

Because REACH has organically grown and donated over 520 pounds of food and serviced 33 families we can see a change in outlook on health. This garden is giving youth and families alike access to fresh produce and healthy soil which would not be available to them otherwise. This access creates healthy habits and even healthier lifestyles.