Growing Food, Growing Community: How Gardens Can Improve Nutritional Access and Food Security in Baltimore

In a city where many families struggle to put enough healthy food on their tables, gardening offers more than recreation; it can become a lifeline. By planting vegetables at home, saving seeds, propagating plants, and sharing produce within a network of growers, residents can reclaim autonomy over their diets, reduce reliance on unstable food systems, and strengthen community food security. This grassroots approach can help offset persistent gaps in access to fresh, nutritious food.

According to a 2024 survey of Baltimore-area residents, 28% reported experiencing food insecurity during the past year, meaning they lacked consistent access to adequate food (Johns Hopkins, 2025). Among households receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits in the Baltimore region, nearly two-thirds report food insecurity, with almost half facing “very low food security,” putting them at high risk of hunger (Johns Hopkins, 2025). These numbers underscore the urgency of finding sustainable, proactive solutions.

Home-based gardening, seed saving, and produce sharing, like the program activity of City Grown Gardens, offer a multi-faceted solution. When families plant their own vegetables, they reduce their reliance on fluctuating grocery prices and supply chains. Because garden produce grows locally, it is often fresher, more nutritious, and far cheaper than store-bought items, especially for those living in “healthy food priority areas,” where access to full-service grocery stores is limited (Baltimore City Department of Planning, 2024). By propagating plants from saved seeds or cuttings, gardeners can sustain their harvests over multiple seasons without repeated financial investment.

Did you know? Children may be picky eaters, but research shows they are more likely to value and consume foods that are valued, modeled, and made visible within their home and community environments, including vegetables (Birch & Fisher, 1998). When children regularly see adults enjoying and prioritizing nutritious foods, their own preferences adapt accordingly.

Beyond individual benefit, sharing surplus harvests within a community of growers can multiply the impact. A household that grows more produce than it needs can reliably provide neighbors with fresh vegetables, fruits, or herbs, widening access to nutrient-dense food across families who grow, and potentially reducing food insecurity in households that cannot garden themselves (Weekend Backpacks Baltimore, 2024). This kind of mutual aid and resource circulation can build resilience in neighborhoods where food access is insecure, expensive, or erratic.

Gardening and seed saving also strengthen community ties. When neighbors exchange produce, seeds, gardening tips, and harvests, they create a shared food culture rooted in reciprocity, trust, and collective care. These networks challenge isolation and foster social connection — enriching both food access and community cohesion. Over time, such localized food systems can reduce the burden on food pantries and public assistance, while nurturing dignity, self-reliance, and neighborhood empowerment.

Moreover, home gardens can contribute to long-term nutritional stability. Produce grown and consumed locally is more likely to be fresh, nutrient-dense, and culturally relevant. By growing a variety of crops — leafy greens, root vegetables, legumes, herbs, and more — families can diversify their diets, reduce dependency on processed or low-nutrient foods, and improve overall health outcomes.

For a city like Baltimore, where nearly one in four residents live in “Healthy Food Priority Areas”, zones defined by low income, limited proximity to supermarkets, and high rates of households without vehicle ownership (Baltimore City Department of Planning, 2024), the need for decentralized, home-based nutrition solutions is acute. Gardens offer a practical, accessible way to bring fresh food into homes that may otherwise lack easy access to supermarkets. The power of gardening as a tool for food justice becomes even clearer when viewed as more than a backyard pastime. It becomes a strategy for equity and a way to reclaim control over food production, circumvent structural barriers, and build localized, resilient food networks.

For community organizations, nonprofits, and local governments seeking long-term approaches to food insecurity, supporting home-garden installation, seed libraries, and volunteer-led produce exchanges can be a cost-effective and sustainable investment. Encouraging seed saving and plant propagation reduces recurring costs, while shared-produce models foster community solidarity and resilience. They are not just growing vegetables. They are growing food sovereignty, neighborhood strength, and hope.

References

Baltimore City Department of Planning. (2024). Baltimore City 2024 food environment brief.

Birch, L. L., & Fisher, J. O. (1998). Development of eating behaviors among children and adolescents. Pediatrics, 101(3), 539–549.

Johns Hopkins 21st Century Cities Initiative. (2025). A Portrait of Baltimore: Results of the 2024 Baltimore Area Survey.

Weekend Backpacks Baltimore. (2024). Weekend Backpacks program overview and child food insecurity data.