How Community Garden Participation Shapes Food Security: Participant Perspectives

Author

• Kai Li Tullis, Utah State University

Date of Award

5-2026

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Departmental Honors

Department

Political Science

Abstract

This study aims to answer two research questions: How do participants of the Flores Family Community Garden perceive their food security needs? And are there differences between participants' individually owned gardens and previous small-scale agricultural experiences and the Flores Family Community Garden? 

This study used a semi-structured interview format to collect qualitative data on the experience of 8 participants of the Flores Family Community Garden regarding their perceived food security status. The results of this study found that the top 7 reasons that individuals used the Flores Family Community Garden include Fresh Produce Access, Access to Community, Exercise, Learning Opportunities, Mental Health Benefits, Family Benefits, and Exposure to Nature. In addition the top 10 words that were used in the interviews were community, people, exercise, better, together, happy, excited, gardening, taste, and healthy. 

Throughout the interview process the researchers found that the key difference between the individually owned gardening experience and current gardening experience was access to community. A majority of the participants’ previous experience with gardening was with their family, while through the Flores Family Community Garden it is with a shared community. In addition, their food security needs were better met through the use of the community garden, as the garden is a free resource. Additionally, and more notably their perception of their nutritional security was strengthened, often quoting that the use of the Flores Family Community Garden gave them better tasting produce and higher satisfaction levels when using fresh produce that they grew themselves versus produce bought in the stores.

Recommended Citation

Tullis, Kai Li, "How Community Garden Participation Shapes Food Security: Participant Perspectives" (2026). Undergraduate Honors Capstone Projects. 1110.
https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/honors/1110