Urban Farming: A Path to Health and Empowerment in Camden
Meet Nicole Vaughn, a public health researcher at the Rowan-Virtua School of Nursing & Health Professions who is making a significant impact through work with urban farming in Camden, New Jersey.
Camden’s neighborhoods often lack access to full-service grocery stores, creating barriers to obtaining nutritious foods and contributing to health issues such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and obesity. Dr. Vaughn’s research addresses these challenges by partnering with local community leaders and residents. The approach involves identifying and supporting community champions committed to creating change. Together, solutions are developed to improve access to healthy foods, with urban farming serving as a key strategy.
A notable aspect of this work is the collaboration with Virtua Health, which facilitates the inclusion of locally grown produce in the community through a Mobile Farmers Market and grocery store. Preliminary results indicate an increase in fruit and vegetable consumption among Camden residents. This initiative not only enhances public health but also provides economic opportunities within the community.
Dr. Vaughn’s work demonstrates that investing in community-driven solutions can drive significant improvements in health and well-being, proving that urban farming can be a powerful tool for change.
Written by: Hanisha Hanumanula, master’s in Computer Science