Legislative findings

§ 31-f. Legislative findings. The legislature hereby finds and\ndeclares that community gardens provide significant health, educational\nand social benefits to the general public, especially for those who\nreside in urban and suburban areas of this state. Furthermore, it is the\narticulated public policy of this state to promote and foster growth in\nthe number of community gardens and the acreage of such gardens. The\ncommunity garden movement continues to provide low cost food that is\nfresh and nutritious for those who may be unable to readily afford or\nhave easy access to fresh fruits and vegetables for themselves or their\nfamilies, promotes public health and healthier individual lifestyles by\nencouraging better eating habits and increased physical activity by\ngrowing their own food, fosters the retention and expansion of open\nspaces, particularly in urban environments, enhances urban and suburban\nenvironmental quality and community beautification, provides inexpensive\ncommunity building activities, recreation and physical exercise for all\nage groups, establishes a safe place for community involvement and helps\nto reduce the incidence of crime, engenders a closer relationship\nbetween urban residents, nature and their local environment, and fosters\ngreen job training and ecological education at all levels. It is\ntherefore the intent of the legislature and the purpose of this article\nto foster growth in the number, size and scope of community gardens in\nthis state by encouraging state agencies, municipalities and private\nparties in their efforts to promote community gardens.\n