JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – An organization working to end food insecurity in Jacksonville is helping raise awareness about the need to make healthier foods accessible to everyone.
Melanated Growers held its 2nd annual conference at the University of North Florida over the weekend.
Organizations and community members gathered to network and educate people on proper nutrition and agriculture.
Speakers shared the art and science of growing food, as well as the health benefits of different fruits, vegetables and herbs.
Vendors were also on hand giving people tools and advice on how to start their own gardens.
Organizers hope the event encourages the community to have meaningful conversations, that will help lower the number of food deserts in the city.
“In Jacksonville, there are 40 areas that are designated as food deserts,” said founder Lisa Corprew. “Our remedy for that is to put gardens in those areas. Food deserts are areas where citizens don’t have the means to get fresh groceries, so instead of someone putting a row of apples or a row of bananas inside a Dollar General, we’re actually planting gardens in those areas. So it’s important for us to do this because we need a huge collective in order for it to work.”
Melanated Growers has planted several community gardens in different neighborhoods and plans to add more in the future.
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