Community Gardens Contribution to Household Food Security : Measuring contribution of community gardens to household food security using household Food insecurity access scale

Community gardens are promoted to alleviate food insecurity but their contribution to household food security has not been evaluated. This study evaluated the contribution of community gardens towards alleviating food insecurity among 53 community gardeners in Maphephetheni, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Food security was measured using the Household Food Insecurity Access Scale. Eighty per cent of households consumed insufficient food, 72 per cent consumed food of inadequate quality and 89 per cent were anxious about food supplies. Among the households surveyed, 89 per cent were categorised as severely food insecure. Community gardens and purchasing accounted for 11 per cent and 83 per cent of consumed food respectively. Limited community gardens size, droughts, floods, theft and pests and diseases limited community garden productivity. Community gardens did not significantly contribute to household food security. Further investigation of appropriate gardening practices and crops is required. Diversification of income sources should be promoted to ensure food security.