JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Several Jacksonville residents went before City Council on Tuesday to push for legislation that would make it easier for people to grow and share food from their own yards — and at least one speaker tied the push to a recent local parasite outbreak.
No bill is currently before the council, but residents used public comment to call for what they’re calling the “Free to Garden Act” — a proposed measure that would allow people to grow food in their yards and share, exchange, and distribute it without local government or zoning restrictions.
Residents cite food access, neighborhood health
Roxy McCloud, who was identified as representing Common Ground Garden, urged council members to get behind the effort.
“I’m here to support that act to garden,” McCloud said. “It’s not just for food and stability — it grows neighborhoods.”
Curtis White echoed that sentiment, pointing to the broader community benefits of garden access.
“I have seen how community gardens promote public health and strengthen neighborhoods, create educational opportunities for youth, and increase access to free and healthy food,” White said.
Parasite outbreak adds urgency to the debate
Resident James Weston connected the push to a recent cyclospora outbreak that has drawn public attention to food sourcing.
“If you have been following the recent news about the parasite outbreak causing explosive diarrhea, you’ve probably been paying a little extra attention to where your food comes from — I know I have,” Weston said.
Weston also called for turning unused land into productive community space.
“Neighbors are ready to turn vacant lots into places that would feed people instead of sitting unused,” he said. “Growing food shouldn’t mean fighting red tape for years.”
What the Free to Garden Act would do
The proposed Free to Garden Act would allow residents to grow food on their residential property and share, exchange, or distribute it free from local government or zoning restrictions.
The measure would build on a 2019 state law that already prohibits local governments from banning gardens on residential property.
As of this week, city council had not considered any version of the legislation.
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