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Brittany Butler

ENG 1201-B53

Professor Kretzer

14 April 2020

Literature Review

When people are faced with a crisis, they lose out on essentials they may not have

thought would be in danger. Food is one of the essential things we need in order to live. What are

the benefits of having community gardens, and community supported agriculture (CSA), in a

time of crisis? Community gardens have developed over the years and become very popular.

They are a way of bringing the community together while providing the freshest ingredients to

fuel your body’s needs. Since the CSA is a directly sustainable food channel, they have served

thousands of people, and businesses, and value the production and sustainability of locally grown

produce.

There have been arguments that locally grown produce is too expensive and is it worth it?

Over the last decade there has been an increase in sales and a higher demand for locally grown

products, according to a report on supported agriculture (Dong, Huan, et al). These communities,

and the people driving them, are providing a base for meetings, a sense of unity, and a fresher

product. In times of need this is very beneficial. These communities are now providing food for

families that may not be able to afford a big grocery run, people that aren’t able to drive, along

with those that see the health value.

The CSA has offered push back regarding the crop cycles and the allocated money for the

farms. This is partly because of the inconsistency with weather conditions. Dealing with crop is

very specific and needs the proper care and attention in order to keep production flowing (Dong,
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Huan, et al). Because the CSA has a larger operating scale than a smaller community garden,

they need more substantial support so their products can be well maintained and competitive.

Garden centers in other parts of the world are hoping to continue implementing locally

grown produce into the homes of those in their community and around them. In Brussels, a

report was done that stated their goal by 2030 is to have 30% of the produce consumed in

households be locally sourced (AFP News Footage). This type of production is what keeps food

on tables and in stomachs so that people survive. There are multiple community gardens that are

working together to produce the right amount of varying product. No one is in competition,

because it is not beneficial. Different communities provide different produce so that there is a

vast array of options.

In order to have plentiful gardens, you need to have a source that fits proper growing

conditions. According to The Missouri Botanical Garden, an article on home growing states the

importance of sunlight and water. If you have direct sunlight for 6-8 hours a day, with proper

watering, your crops will grow evenly and abundantly. Making sure the soil is properly treated

with the correct nutrients before planting seeds assures organic growth. Fertilizing also boosts

the soil if all the necessary nutrients aren’t present or if the crop needs a boost.

Local gardeners across the country have seen an increase in sales since the pandemic of

covid-19 hit (Wharton). Because these folks have decided to keep their gardens flowing, people

have been able to eat. This shows to importance of having locally sourced food. If we relied only

on packaged products or wholesale, we would be in a bit of trouble. Locally produced crops are

also healthier and have more nutrition that crops picked and shipped to a grocery store. It is also

possible to maintain any type of restrictions by having multiple gardens. Multiple gardens with

various crop throughout allow consumers to see that vast array of product and sustenance. The
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CSA is an example of an organization that has the resources to be able to feed hundreds of

people in need.
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Works Cited

"Community-supported agriculture seeks outside-the-box solutions." Janesville Gazette [Janesville,

WI], 20 Aug. 2018. Gale In Context: Opposing Viewpoints, https://link-gale-

com.sinclair.ohionet.org/apps/doc/A550893764/OVIC?

u=dayt30401&sid=OVIC&xid=bae3d656. Accessed 14 Apr. 2020.

Dong, Huan, et al. "Factors impacting producer marketing through community supported

agriculture." PLoS ONE, vol. 14, no. 7, 2019, p. e0219498. Gale In Context: Opposing

Viewpoints, https://link-gale-com.sinclair.ohionet.org/apps/doc/A592745761/OVIC?

u=dayt30401&sid=OVIC&xid=f853bb6e. Accessed 14 Apr. 2020.

“Growing Vegetables at Home.” Missouri Botanical Garden,

www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/gardens-gardening/your-garden/help-for-the-home-

gardener/edible-gardening/vegetable-gardening.aspx.

"Urban Agriculture Takes off in Belgian Capital." AFP News Footage, 20 June 2018. Gale In

Context: Opposing Viewpoints, https://link-gale-

com.sinclair.ohionet.org/apps/doc/KUDICT075367021/OVIC?

u=dayt30401&sid=OVIC&xid=916d064d. Accessed 14 Apr. 2020.

Wharton, Rachel. “'If All the Stores Close, We Need Food': Community Gardens Adapt to the

Pandemic.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 10 Apr. 2020,

www.nytimes.com/2020/04/10/dining/community-garden-coronavirus.html.