Urban Garden Initiative:
Growing in Prison
Prison food is often characterized by its lack of nutritional value, low-quality ingredients, and limited variety. These deficiencies contribute to numerous health disparities among incarcerated individuals, including poor physical health, increased risk of chronic diseases, and negative impacts on mental well-being. Once released, many justice-impacted individuals face significant challenges in accessing healthy, affordable food, making it difficult to maintain a nutritious diet and overall well-being.
Urban Garden Initiative: Growing in Prison aims to address these issues by introducing sustainable, healthy food options within the prison system and beyond. Through our urban garden project, we provide incarcerated individuals with the tools, knowledge, and support to grow their own fresh produce. This initiative offers several benefits:
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Nutritional Improvement: By growing their own food, incarcerated individuals can supplement their diets with fresh, healthy options, significantly improving their overall nutrition.
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Skill Development: Participants learn valuable agricultural skills that can be used post-release, enhancing their employment opportunities and self-sufficiency.
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Mental and Physical Health: Gardening has been shown to reduce stress, improve mental health, and provide physical exercise, all of which contribute to better overall health.
Just Us Gardens, a part of our Urban Garden Initiative, extends these benefits to justice-impacted individuals after their release. We offer resources and support to help them establish community gardens, ensuring continued access to fresh, nutritious food. This initiative not only promotes healthy eating but also fosters a sense of community and empowerment.
Through our Urban Garden Initiative and Just Us Gardens, we strive to transform the food landscape for justice-impacted individuals, both during and after incarceration. By providing the means to grow their own food, we aim to bridge the gap in nutritional disparities and support a healthier, more sustainable future for all.
Help us Grow in Prison
Our From Gardens to Chow Hall Initiative
Empowering Justice-Impacted Individuals through Gardening
At JIIVE, we believe that everyone deserves a second chance. Our "Gardens to Chow Halls" initiative aims to provide just that by empowering Justice-Impacted Individuals to grow their own food and nourish their bodies and minds.
In partnership with the Commissioner of Corrections, we are establishing gardening programs at correctional facilities across the state. These programs will allow inmates to work together to cultivate fresh produce, promoting a sense of purpose, community, and rehabilitation. The harvested crops will be used to feed inmates in state correctional facilities, reducing the reliance on industrialized food systems and promoting healthy eating habits.
By participating in the "Gardens to Chow Halls" initiative, Justice-Impacted Individuals will gain valuable skills in horticulture, nutrition, and teamwork. They will also can contribute to their own well-being and that of their peers, fostering a sense of pride and accomplishment.
The Benefits
Lowers the cost of incarnation for ALL
Provides fresh, nutritious produce to Justice Impacted Individuals, promoting healthy eating habits and reducing reliance on processed foods
Fosters a sense of community and teamwork among inmates
Offers a rehabilitative program that promotes personal growth and development
Supports local food shelves and charities by donating excess produce
Get Involved
Join us in our mission to empower justice-impacted individuals through gardening. We welcome volunteers, donations, and partnerships to help bring this initiative to life. Together, we can create a more sustainable and compassionate food system that benefits all.
Let's grow a brighter future, one garden at a time!
I believe in JIIVE
