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Edible Gardens

Agency on Aging Area 4’s (AAA4) Edible Gardens program installs free, raised-bed outdoor vegetable gardens at local low-income senior housing facilities and community centers in the greater Sacramento region.

The program was developed to reduce social isolation and lack of opportunities for physical activity among aging adults . The program takes advantage of our region’s long growing season to provide nearly year-round outlets for light-to-moderate physical activity, safe social interaction, and increased access to fresh fruits and vegetables. These gardens also serve as a tool to introduce CalFresh Healthy Living nutrition education and resources to garden participants.

    What do Edible Gardens provide? 

    Agency on Aging Area 4’s (AAA4) Edible Gardens program installs free, raised-bed outdoor vegetable gardens at local low-income senior housing facilities and community centers, serving Nevada, Placer, Sacramento, Sierra, Sutter, Yolo, and Yuba counties.
    The program was developed to reduce social isolation, provide opportunities for physical activity, and tackle food insecurity among aging adults. The program takes advantage of our region’s long growing season to provide nearly year-round outlets for light-to-moderate physical activity, safe social interaction, and increased access to fresh fruits and vegetables. These gardens also serve as a tool to introduce CalFresh Healthy Living nutrition education and resources to garden participants.
     

    Edible Garden Features 

    The Edible Garden program utilizes 32” high raised garden beds which allow participants the opportunity to tend to their garden without bending down. Gardens are designed to follow ADA guidelines, providing wheelchair and walker access by our experienced garden staff. Based on site request, garden beds can have individual water access for further accessibility. AAA4 can provide the raised garden beds, starter plants/seeds, soils and decomposed granite (as needed), irrigation kits and hoses, participant garden tools, misc. garden tools such as shovels and wheelbarrows. 

    Garden Sustainability 

    The Edible Gardens are a great segway to provide nutrition education and garden resources to its participants. AAA4 provides nutrition workshops that bring the foods being grown in the garden to the kitchen with cooking demonstrations. See our workshop offerings here.

    AAA4 provides sites with garden resources to help participants with more information on what produce to grow depending on the season and how to further care for their garden via our Garden Maintenance Plan and Scrap, Snap & Grow it Back Tip Sheet.

     

    Edible Garden Maintenance Plan .pdfScrap, Snap & Grow It Back (1).pdf

    AAA4 will continue to support gardens with continuous starter plants/seeds during change of seasons (dependent of funding availability).

    I am Interested in an Edible Garden, What Are the Next Steps? 

    Qualifying For an Edible Garden

    1. Sites must serve older adults (individuals 60 years or older), with incomes at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL). Program sites must meet CFHL eligibility standards. AAA4 staff will verify the site’s eligibility.
    2. Sites must offer an evidence-based nutrition education workshop prior the implementation of the garden. Click here to see our workshop offerings.
    3. Sites must administer an Edible Garden Survey to prospective garden participants. Survey is provided and returned to AAA4.

    What Are the Steps Towards Planning an Edible Garden?

    After qualifying requirements have been met and verified, AAA4 staff will schedule an onsite meeting to inspect the proposed garden areas and create a garden proposal. Garden Proposals include a garden schematic, list of materials used, and site preparation requirements. Once approved by both the site and AAA4, a garden build date will be set up where AAA4 staff and volunteers (provided by both parties) will come in to install the Edible Garden.

    I am interested in Volunteering for the Edible Garden Program 

    We welcome you to volunteer to help build edible community gardens in senior living facilities, which promote better nutrition, exercise, socialization, and community building. These fun and rewarding opportunities begin each spring and happen regularly through the fall.

    TIME COMMITMENT: 4-8 hours

    EXPECTATIONS:

    • Light to moderately strenuous activity for one half or a full day
    • Ability to work with others to complete the project
    • Sign Waiver and Release of Liability form onsite before beginning service
    • Sign or decline Publicity Release form

    REQUIREMENTS:

    • Adhere to instructions from staff
    • Sturdy closed-toed work shoes
    • Appropriate work clothes including hats and sunscreen
    • You are welcome to bring bottled water
    • Bring gloves, shovels, or a wheelbarrow if available (but not required to participate)

    To Sign up to be an Edible Garden Volunteer, please click here.

    Edible Garden Impacts in Your Community 

    Since the start of the Edible Gardens Program in 2019, AAA4 has:

    Created 15 Gardens

    Installed/Restored 83 Beds

    Edible Garden Build Photos & Videos 

    Check out videos of past Edible Garden Installations on our YouTube channel here

    A garden with trees, raised beds, netting, tools on tables, and people observing the area.
    Rolling Oaks Garden 2021
    People gardening in raised green metal planters along a path.
    Manzanita Place 2022
    People assembling green corrugated garden beds outdoors, surrounded by tools, boxes, and plants.
    Maidu Village 2022
    Raised garden beds with small plants, colorful flags, and a stairway beside a white building.
    Lavender Court 2022
    Two people in a garden are planting in raised beds, with plants and gardening supplies around.
    Forrest Palms 2023
    A group of people posing in front of a River City Food Bank truck with a community support message and chart.
    River City Food Bank 2023
    Elevated garden beds with green leafy plants against a wall, beside a black metal table and chair set.
    Pannell Garden 2023
    A group of people gardening together, smiling by a large planter with young plants.
    Pannell Garden 2023
    A group of people poses with gardening tools around raised garden beds filled with soil, against a mural-covered wall.
    Stanford Settlement 2023
    Raised garden beds with various green vegetables growing, fenced area.
    Harmony Health 2024
    Raised garden beds with various plants, a white shed, and a garden sculpture in a sunny outdoor space.
    Valley Oak Senior Apartments 2024
    A garden with trees, raised beds, netting, tools on tables, and people observing the area.
    People gardening in raised green metal planters along a path.
    People assembling green corrugated garden beds outdoors, surrounded by tools, boxes, and plants.
    Raised garden beds with small plants, colorful flags, and a stairway beside a white building.
    Two people in a garden are planting in raised beds, with plants and gardening supplies around.
    A group of people posing in front of a River City Food Bank truck with a community support message and chart.
    Elevated garden beds with green leafy plants against a wall, beside a black metal table and chair set.
    A group of people gardening together, smiling by a large planter with young plants.
    A group of people poses with gardening tools around raised garden beds filled with soil, against a mural-covered wall.
    Raised garden beds with various green vegetables growing, fenced area.
    Raised garden beds with various plants, a white shed, and a garden sculpture in a sunny outdoor space.

    Have Any Questions?

    If you’re a facilities manager or a resident/user of a senior facility and are interested in learning more about our garden program, please contact Brittany Lathrop at 916-710-8380.