Build community gardens in low income areas lacking access to produce.YMCA of the USA

The YMCA Fresh Gardens Project will engage community members from three local YMCAs in planning, cultivating and harvesting fresh vegetable gardens in low-income and underserved communities.  Participating YMCAs leading these projects will serve communities that lack access to these healthy foods, either due to a scarcity of supermarkets in the area or due to the cost of procuring these fresh foods.  Each garden will be planted, cultivated, harvested and enjoyed by local community members.  Each YMCA involved will provide leadership in planning the garden and managing volunteers, and in providing wrap-around nutrition education opportunities for local families.  If the YMCA Fresh Gardens Project is selected to receive a Pepsi Refresh Grant, YMCA of the USA will identify three local YMCAs to lead the project. Eligible YMCAs must serve low-income communities and demonstrate capacity to start/sustain a new community garden or substantially enhance an existing one.