Forty percent of University of North Florida students are struggling with food insecurity and reducing their food intake, according to Kevin Anderson, senior coordinator of Ogier Gardens at UNF.<\/p>\n
Ogier Gardens helps students access fresh food through several programs, including Adopt-A-Bed, which allows students to grow vegetables and other plants they can take home for free. The gardens also donate produce to Lend-A-Wing, UNF\u2019s student food pantry, according to Anderson.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe survey students about their health on campus, and the food insecurity rate among college students has been over 40% of our student population,\u201d Anderson said.<\/p>\n
Ogier Gardens started in 2012 in a small lot near Eco Adventure. After the university expressed interest in expanding the gardens, Ogier Gardens was given about an acre of space, Anderson said.<\/p>\n
Anderson has worked with the gardens since 2013. He oversees eight part-time staff members and also serves as head beekeeper.<\/p>\n
Ogier Gardens grows about 240 kinds of crops, many of which are selected based on what the average person can grow at home, Anderson said.<\/p>\n
Ogier Gardens is open from 8 to 11 a.m. Wednesday and Thursday, and from 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday.<\/p>\n
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