Impact of Soulful Seeds' Gardens & Orchards
Social Impact
Our work improves Social Determinants of Health. Social Determinants of Health are the conditions we live, work, and play in and they play a significant role in a person’s and a community’s long-term health and well-being. According to the CDC, food insecurity is a social determinant of health with one of the most extensive impacts on the overall health and well-being of a person.
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Healthy, nutrient dense food is out of reach for many people in the community. Our managed, neighborhood gardens address the compounding social determinants of food insecurity and poverty by developing green gardening spaces in the middle of underserved communities to provide a safe space for building healthy connections, growing nutritious food, and developing healthier eating habits that can last a lifetime.
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Further, gardens improve access to green space, which plays a significant role in a person’s well-being. Research documents that marginalized community groups are frequently provided limited access to safe outdoor spaces. Our gardens provide people with access to green spaces where they can be physically active, decompress, access healthy food, connect with a supportive environment, and practice new skills used throughout life.
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Environmental Impact
Our work advances environmental stewardship through organic and regenerative growing practices. We are currently developing a regenerative plan for 2024 that incorporates the use of cover crops and maximizes food production across the growing season. Our crop plan prioritizes biodiversity to the land, replenishes the soil, provides outdoor space not currently available to neighbors, and provides organically grown, nutrient dense food to the surrounding neighborhood.
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Community Impact