The Impact of Free Seeds and Transplants

By Jessica Romer, Community Initiatives Coordinator

Denver Urban Gardens’ Free Seeds and Transplants Program has provided free vegetable and herb seeds and transplants to in-need individuals and families since 1997. Community and backyard gardeners alike participate in this annual program by filling out an application at one of 39 distribution centers located throughout Metro Denver. In 2012, we provided over 18,000 seed packets and 40,000 transplants to 6,185 community members. We also expanded the program outside the City of Denver and started a group distribution center that made larger amounts of seeds and transplants available to schools, human service, faith-based and educational organizations and community gardens’ donation programs. Through the group distribution center alone, participants self-reported that the seeds and transplants received through DUG would benefit over 15,000 individuals!

Spring planting at DUG’s Fairview Elementary Community GardenIn the past year, we expanded our evaluation of this longtime program to get a better sense of the real impact that it is making in our community. As survey responses came back to us, we were amazed at the breadth of impact that this program makes and it became evident that people participate for many reasons. For some, cost savings and health factors are the primary motivations. As one participant puts it, “It [The Free Seeds & Transplants Program] helps bridge the gap when we can’t afford to buy or get produce from the store. This program encourages people to eat local and be more self-sufficient. It helps me eat more nutritious food.” Another participant wrote, “This [program] helps my husband and me with our physical activity and healthier eating. I enjoy having a garden each year. This helps keep us young.”

Overwhelmingly, participants noted how the program helps them to bridge difficult financial times for their families and allows them to eat better than they normally would. Of the program participants that responded to the survey, 79% said this program has increased their consumption of fruits and vegetables, 71% increased their physical activity, 69% experienced improvements in their personal health and wellness, and 78% had reduced grocery bills.

Some participants spoke more to the social benefits of the program, from community building to family cohesiveness. “I love this program because it brings my family together and being able to watch everything grow and the younger kids learning more every day with the plants.” Many individuals spoke to the ripple effect the program can have out into their communities. “As a low income senior, it is truly a help to have easy access to transplants and seeds. We are eating tomatoes, eggplants, beets, kale, chard, beans, cucumber and basil from the garden every day and we have enough to share with neighbors.” Seniors make up an average of 45% of the pool of participants in this program.

Many people even expressed that the Free Seeds & Transplants Program makes them feel proud of their home city, Denver.

This program is the only and most important support I get all year. I do not participate in other public programs but this one allows me to become closer to my neighbors, provides me food for my family, and a greater mental well-being than I could ever hope for. This program is what makes Denver the great city it is.

Denver Urban Gardens thanks the many funders and donors, and volunteers at each distribution center that make the Free Seeds & Transplants Program possible. We look forward to the upcoming 2013 Program and growing season. For more information on this program and how to participate, click here.