Vertical Gardens, Food Deserts, and Equity: Are Gardens the Solution?

Some innovations in the past decades to address food insecurity, especially in cities, have yielded unexpected gains where equity, diversity, and affordability are concerned. At DCH, we strive to provide affordable and equitable housing for middle to low-income earners but also help build sustainable neighborhoods where residents thrive. This week we wanted to highlight some of the ways vertical gardens can increase food security and equity. 

First, for those who are unfamiliar with vertical gardens, these are gardens that are grown on walls or other vertical surfaces, using hydroponic or aeroponic systems. They can be indoors or outdoors and are especially useful in urban environments where space is limited. The second term that many in our audience know and are aware of is the term food desert. These are areas, typically in urban or rural settings, where access to fresh, healthy, and affordable food is limited. This lack of access is often due to a lack of affordable grocery stores or markets offering nutritious options.

How do Vertical Gardens Contribute to Addressing Food Deserts? 

Increased Access to Fresh Produce: Vertical gardens can be set up in urban areas, including food deserts, to provide residents with access to fresh produce in their neighborhoods, at a lesser cost and more nutritious. 

Community Engagement and Education: Vertical gardens are excellent focal points for community engagement and education about healthy eating and sustainable agriculture practices.

Space Optimization: In densely populated urban areas where space is limited and expensive, vertical gardens optimize space for food production. They can be installed on walls, rooftops, or even indoors, making use of otherwise underutilized spaces.

Year-Round Production: Where we are seeing increasingly volatile temperatures, especially in Texas, vertical gardens can be designed to operate year-round, providing a consistent supply of fresh produce regardless of the season.

Equity and Diversity in Urban Spaces

Vertical gardens contribute to making urban areas more equitable and diverse by not only the integration of green spaces and healthy food options but also by bridging socioeconomic disparities. In sustainable city models, they are shown to promote cultural exchange in urban populations, as residents from diverse backgrounds come together to cultivate shared spaces. 

Vertical gardens alone are not a panacea to food deserts, however, their utilization by developers may complement other measures including policy interventions to incentivize grocery stores to relocate to underserved areas, and initiatives to improve public transportation to existing grocery stores. Growing food vertically on walls or other structures using hydroponic or aeroponic systems, these gardens can play a crucial role in increasing access to fresh produce and promoting healthier lifestyles. However, their impact extends beyond mere food provision; they increase community engagement, education, and empower residents to take ownership of their food systems. 

Please comment to discuss ideas for your neighborhood and whether you think vertical gardening would make a difference in Dallas.