About Capital Roots (formerly Capital District Community Gardens)
Capital Roots (formerly Capital District Community Gardens) is a non-profit organization that aims to improve public health in New York's Capital Region by promoting healthy eating habits and providing access to fresh, locally grown produce. The organization achieves this goal through various initiatives such as community gardens, healthy food access programs, nutritional and horticultural education for all ages, and urban greening programs.
One of the primary objectives of Capital Roots is to reduce the impact of poor nutrition on public health. The organization recognizes that many people in the region lack access to fresh fruits and vegetables due to economic or geographic barriers. To address this issue, Capital Roots operates several community gardens throughout the area where individuals can grow their own produce or volunteer their time to help others cultivate crops.
In addition to community gardens, Capital Roots also offers healthy food access programs such as Veggie Mobiles and Healthy Stores. Veggie Mobiles are mobile markets that bring fresh produce directly into underserved neighborhoods where residents may not have easy access to grocery stores or farmers' markets. Healthy Stores work with local corner stores and bodegas to stock healthier options like fresh fruits and vegetables instead of processed snacks.
Capital Roots also provides educational opportunities for all ages through its nutritional and horticultural education programs. These initiatives aim to teach people about healthy eating habits, sustainable agriculture practices, cooking skills, composting techniques, and more. By empowering individuals with knowledge about how food is grown and prepared, Capital Roots hopes to inspire healthier lifestyles throughout the region.
Finally, Capital Roots coordinates urban greening programs that focus on improving green spaces in cities throughout the region. These initiatives include planting trees along streetscapes or creating new parks in underserved areas. By increasing green space in urban environments, these projects help improve air quality while also providing opportunities for outdoor recreation.
Overall, Capital Roots is an essential organization working towards improving public health by promoting healthy eating habits through various initiatives like community gardens; offering nutritional & horticultural education; coordinating urban greening programs; providing healthy food access etc., which makes it a unique non-profit organization dedicated towards making a positive impact on society's well-being!