Community Gardening and Nutrition Act of 2014

To amend the Domestic Volunteer Service Act of 1973 to establish a Community Gardens Pilot Program, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Community Gardening and Nutrition Act of 2014 2. Findings Congress finds the following: (1) A community garden improves the quality of life, encourages self-reliance, produces highly nutritious food, reduces family food budgets, and creates opportunities for recreation, social interaction, exercise, education, and economic development for people participating in the garden. (2) The creation of community gardens has been an effective approach to cleaning up and maintaining abandoned vacant lots. (3) Many community gardens donate fresh fruits and vegetables to local food pantries, cooperatives, and homeless members of the community, and provide for a source of fresh fruits and vegetables for participants of the gardens. (4) An August 2013 report by the Union of Concerned Scientists entitled The $11 Trillion Reward (5) The Department of Health and Human Services recommends eating more dark green vegetables, legumes, and fruits; and eating fewer refined grains, less fat, and fewer calories. (6) A 2010 review of the Nutritional Implications of Farmers’ Markets and Community Gardens published by the Journal of the American Dietetic Association found that community gardens promote healthy behaviors. (7) A 2011 pilot study entitled LA Sprouts 3. Community Garden Pilot Program (a) Purpose Section 103(a) of the Domestic Volunteer Service Act of 1973 ( 42 U.S.C. 4953(a) (1) in paragraph (12) by striking and (2) in paragraph (13) by striking the period and inserting ; and (3) by adding at the end the following: (14) in establishing initiatives that address the health and nutrition of individuals in low-income and underserved communities, including by— (A) creating new community gardens and supporting and expanding existing community gardens; (B) recruiting local community members to actively engage in community gardens and gardening projects; (C) transforming vacant places into community garden plots; (D) increasing access for community members to healthy foods and local foods while also encouraging community members to stay active; (E) expanding anti-poverty efforts by teaching basic nutrition and self-reliance through community gardening programs; and (F) developing initiatives that increase access to healthy, locally grown foods for the community at large. . (b) Establishment Part A of title I of such Act ( 42 U.S.C. 4951 et seq. 110. Community Garden Pilot Program (a) The Director shall establish a Community Garden Pilot Program for the purpose of carrying out the work described under section 103(a)(14). In conducting the Program, the Director shall carry out no less than 40 projects. (b) In carrying out the Program established under subsection (a), the Director shall give priority to— (1) volunteers with experience in health, nutrition, and gardening; (2) projects located in varied geographic regions; and (3) selecting a balance of urban and rural projects. . (c) Authorization Section 501(a) of such Act ( 42 U.S.C. 5081(a) (1) redesignating paragraph (3) as paragraph (4); and (2) inserting after paragraph (2) the following: (3) Community Garden Pilot Program There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out section 110 of part A of title I $4,000,000 for fiscal year 2014 and such sums shall remain available until expended. . (d) Clerical amendment The table of contents in section 1(b) of such Act ( 42 U.S.C. 4950 Sec. 110. Community Garden Pilot Program. . 4. Report Not later than 90 days after the completion of the Community Garden Pilot Program established under section 110(a) of the Domestic Volunteer Service Act of 1973 (42 U.S.C. 4951(a)), the Assistant Director appointed pursuant to section 194(d)(1)(A) of the National and Community Service Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12651e(d)(1)(A)), shall submit to Congress a report containing— (1) a description of the projects and volunteer placements under the Program; (2) results and analysis of completed projects under the Program; and (3) any recommendations for continuation of the Program.

Summary: Community Gardening and Nutrition Act of 2014 - Amends the Domestic Volunteer Service Act of 1973 to require the Director of the Corporation for National and Community Service to establish a Community Garden Pilot Program under the Volunteers in Service to America (VISTA) program. Requires the Program to address the health and nutrition of individuals in low-income and underserved communities through activities that include: creating new community gardens and supporting and expanding existing community gardens; recruiting local community members to actively engage in community gardens and gardening projects; transforming vacant places into community garden plots; increasing community members' access to healthy foods and local foods while also encouraging them to stay active; expanding anti-poverty efforts by teaching basic nutrition and self-reliance through community gardening; and developing initiatives that increase the community's access to healthy, locally grown foods. Requires the Director to carry out at least 40 projects under the Program. Requires the Director to give priority to: (1) volunteers with experience in health, nutrition, and gardening; (2) projects located in varied geographic regions; and (3) selecting a balance of urban and rural projects.