Leaders from the American Heart Association, Coppin State University, and the University of Maryland Medical System recently celebrated the opening of the revitalized community garden on Coppin State’s campus. The revitalization of the Coppin State garden is a significant milestone in the American Heart Association’s efforts to enhance nutrition security and support access to healthy food in under-resourced urban and rural communities in Maryland.
“As the American Heart Association embarks on its Second Century, our commitment to advance health and hope for everyone, everywhere remains unwavering. One crucial way we achieve this is by addressing food and nutrition insecurity in our communities,” Tracy Brazelton, Executive Director, American Heart Association, Baltimore & Greater Maryland division, stated.
“A healthy diet rich in fresh fruits and vegetables is a proven path to strong cardiovascular health and overall well-being. However, we must ensure that more people have access to these nutritious foods to help prevent chronic illnesses such as heart disease, diabetes, and stroke,” she added.
The community garden at Coppin State University will provide access to fresh produce that may be hard to find or expensive in local stores, helping to overcome barriers to healthy eating. Coppin administration plans to make fresh produce from the garden available at its on-campus food resource center, Coppin Corner, which provides essential food and supplies to all students.