Keywords

alternative food networks, community gardens, COVID-19, cultural anthropology, green public spaces, well-being

Abstract

This dissertation critically analyzes home and community gardens within Metro-Orlando by considering the ways that the COVID-19 pandemic impacts residents' garden participation and access to green public spaces. The study utilizes an ethnographic approach to produce informed understandings of participants' experiences within local gardens, alternative food networks, and community supported agriculture analyzed using Marxian theoretical frameworks. Findings are primarily grounded in qualitative information derived from interviews, participant observation, and photovoice. Data were collected both prior to the global COVID-19 outbreak and over subsequent months of lockdown and public health mitigation measures. Primarily focusing on local community garden organizers, community garden members, and home gardeners, this dissertation documents many of the emotional, dietary, and physiological benefits of Metro-Orlando's local gardens through analysis of food and garden access factors that serve to constrain or enhance local garden participation: (1) seasonality; (2) effective garden maintenance; (3) garden's management and social organization, and (4) transportation and resource costs. These considerations are significant as most respondents report their gardens function as supplemental food security resources, serve as a locus of self-care, and provide respite from daily stressors. Lack of convenience remains the most widely reported access challenge among my study participants while cost is the least reported challenge. Findings also demonstrate the ways local gardens foster resilience through support networks and mutual aid, promote resistance and survival through community food security, and provide escape from pandemic-related stressors.

Completion Date

2024

Semester

Spring

Committee Chair

Matejowsky, Ty

Degree

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)

College

College of Sciences

Department

Anthropology

Degree Program

Integrative Anthropological Sciences

Format

application/pdf

Identifier

DP0028281

URL

https://purls.library.ucf.edu/go/DP0028281

Language

English

Rights

In copyright

Release Date

May 2024

Length of Campus-only Access

None

Access Status

Doctoral Dissertation (Open Access)

Campus Location

Orlando (Main) Campus

Accessibility Status

Meets minimum standards for ETDs/HUTs

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