Community perceptions of small-town food environments, food equity, and home-based food cultivation

Insights from a community-engaged research study

Abstract

This paper presents findings from a mixed-methods study of small-town community percep­tions of the food environment, food equity, and home-based food cultivation, specifically examin­ing how participation in the Glassboro Grows home-gardening program influenced these views. Conducted in Glassboro, a small college town in southern New Jersey, USA, the study drew on field observations, food environment mapping, resident surveys (N = 156), and interviews with community leaders (N = 17) and program participants (N = 26). According to the study's findings, persistent barriers such as inadequate transportation options and insufficient access to information continue to perpetuate food inequities. Most participants viewed home gardening as a food supplement rather than a solution to food insecurity. Despite favorable conditions and program support, many participants encountered challenges in their gar­dening efforts. Residents and community leaders identified potential solutions to improve food access, including expanded bus routes, mobile apps to locate food resources, and the placement of refrigerators at food pantries. Overall, this study reveals food access disparities in Glassboro, where food insecurity persists even amid local farms and food outlets, highlighting food inequity that demands broader interventions beyond promoting home-based gardening.