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The Frederick Food Security Network (FFSN) is a community gardening program from the Hood College Center for Coastal and Watershed Studies. We are establishing a network of community gardens in Frederick, MD, in order to improve food security for residents of local food deserts, reduce local water pollution by diverting rooftop runoff for use as irrigation, and promote better eating habits and environmental stewardship in the Frederick community.

We work with partner organizations in Frederick to accomplish these goals. Community partners get involved by hosting a garden site, providing volunteers, offering funds or supplies, and/or assisting in produce distribution efforts.

Our role is that of a support structure. Some of the types of services we provide include:

• Assistance coordinating volunteer support.
• Grant writing assistance for acquiring funds.
• Educational workshops and resources for garden coordinators and volunteers.
• Bulk resource acquisition, such as seeds and seedlings.
• Data tracking support to monitor garden success.
• Roundtable discussions hosted for garden site organizers to discuss challenges and solutions.
• Stormwater management consults to help gardens implement environmentally sustainable practices, such as vegetable rain gardens, compost piles, and rain barrels.
• Facilitation of partnerships for effective and efficient distribution of produce.
• Community needs assessments to determine needs and wants from the target population.
• Nutrition education supplies and workshops.
• Community awareness campaigns about food insecurity, nutrition and environmental sustainability.

Follow us on and  @FrederickFood for updates.