Alabama Community Gardens Change Lives Through Healthy Diets, Community Spirit
By Maggie Lawrence, Alabama Cooperative Extension System
Residents of Geiger, a small community in Sumter County, drive more than 20 miles to reach a grocery store. They admit that this makes healthy eating a challenge. More than 35 percent of the county’s population lives below the poverty level and obesity tops 40 percent.
But a multiyear partnership with Alabama Extension at Auburn University has helped Geiger residents make important changes not only in their diets but in their community.
Working with Extension professionals leading the ALProHealth program, residents now nurture a thriving community garden. The garden provides fresh fruits and vegetables to residents in this west Alabama community.
“We are trying to get everyone fresh fruits and fresh vegetables because the closest store to us is 23 miles away,” said Jimmy Williams, a Geiger community leader. “We go through town and give the produce to people. We are teaching them to eat healthy and live longer.”
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