Community Gardens

The Sustainability Department partners with local community organizations, schools, and businesses to build vibrant community gardens and to promote sustainable composting techniques. The goal of the program is to provide the opportunity for community members to learn about composting from the gardens, and ultimately, be inspired to start composting at home and reduce the amount of organic materials from being sent to landfills. Gardeners can use compost as a soil amendment to grow nutritious and fresh produce!

Benefits

Improved Health and Nutrition

Gardening has been shown to contribute to participants’
mental and physical health.

As a form of relaxation, recreation, and physical activity, gardening can have a positive impact on mental and physical well-being.

Access to nutritious and fresh
produce provides numerous health benefits.

Food Security

Community gardens can increase the availability of locally grown fresh fruits and vegetables, help to reduce the cost of food for families, and increase community self-sufficiency.

Reduce GHG emissions for low-income populations in areas with limited access to grocery stores and farmers’ markets.

Environmental Improvements

In urban areas, gardens add to community green space, which can reduce stormwater runoff and provide habitat for pollinators and other wildlife.

Partnership Requirements

Garden must be in San Mateo County
Garden must be accessible to the public (exception for schools, youth/senior centers)
Partnering organization must commit to maintaining the garden by keeping up with the vegetation and compost bins
Partnering organization must compost the materials generated from the garden and promote composting to the garden members

How to Partner with the Sustainability Department

The Sustainability Department provides funding and resources (while available) to help start up and maintain the gardens; the partnering organization’s role is to use the funding to build the garden, coordinate with the gardeners to maintain the garden, and promote composting and sustainable gardening. Please reach out to us if your organization is interested in getting started on a community garden!

If you are interested in partnering with us, please fill out the Community Garden Partnership Program Application.

Reimbursement for: