Several organizations have come together to develop the new Long Island Community Gardens website. Launched today, March 4, the site is a collaborative effort between Stony Brook University Family Medicine’s Community Roots Project, the Suffolk County Food Policy Council, and Sustainable Long Island. Interns from SBU Family Medicine’s Dietetic program developed the site, and future interns will continue to maintain it.

“Community gardens are a fantastic way to promote healthy eating, build community awareness, and to educate adults and children alike about agricultural and environmental stewardship,” said Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone. “This website provides our citizens with the information and tools they require to seed and grow community gardens across Long Island.”

The site contains tips on how to grow a successful garden, as well as educational resources on the benefits, types, concerns, and locations of community gardens on Long Island. An interactive map already lists 39 community gardens across Suffolk and Nassau Counties, and the website offers a how-to guide on establishing a new community garden as well.

“By providing nutrition and garden expertise to our Nassau and Suffolk community gardens, these organizations have laid the foundation for the establishment of a Long Island community garden association and created a venue for communication, education, and resource sharing among local gardens,” said Iman Marghoob, community gardens’ coordinator at Stony Brook Medicine. “The website has already received much praise from local community garden managers.”

In providing an easily accessible online resource for community gardening, the website aims to promote local sustainably grown fruits and vegetables, increase access to fresh produce, improve public health, and strengthen community bonds.

“This newly launched website will be an invaluable resource to anyone seeking to learn more about community gardens,” said Erin Thoresen, Senior Program Coordinator at Sustainable Long Island. “Not only will it provide information on how to create and maintain your own garden, but it will offer ideas on expanding access to healthy, affordable food options”

[Source: LI Community Gardens]