Check below for the monthly usage of your garden! 

Telling the Story: Water Usage, Food Production, and Health

1. Efficient Use of Resources for Community Benefit:

   • As of December 2024, over the previous 18 months the community gardens used approximately 11.87 million gallons of water, which is enough water to grow about 237,400 pounds of vegetables. We assume 50 gallons of water grows about one pound of plant food.
   • In this 18 month time period, across all 40+ gardens, a total of 15,869 HCF (Hundred Cubic Feet) of water was used during this period.
   • What is an HCF? An HCF represents 748 gallons of water. To put this in perspective, that’s roughly enough water to fill 15 bathtubs. 

2. Connecting Food Production to Individual Impact:

   • With more than 2,000 members, the gardens provide an average of 79 pounds of vegetables per member annually. This is significant when compared to the U.S. average per capita vegetable availability of 359 pounds per year, contributing directly to healthier eating habits for participants and their families.

3. Addressing Health Needs:

   • In the U.S., many people fail to meet daily vegetable intake recommendations due to limited access, cost, or lack of knowledge. Community gardens act as a bridge, offering fresh, affordable, and often organic produce while reducing barriers to healthy eating.

4. Promoting Sustainability and Conservation:

   • The comparison of water usage to food production illustrates how gardens are a sustainable model. The efficient use of water for local food production aligns with climate goals, reducing the carbon footprint associated with food transport and packaging. How does rain impact your water usage? Check out this data chart. 

5. Building Social Connections:

   • Beyond the metrics, these gardens serve as hubs for community interaction, education, and cooperation. Gardening fosters stronger community ties, reduces isolation, and provides spaces for cultural exchange, as members often grow crops unique to their heritage.