State funding for community gardening

Victory-Peace Garden

I was disappointed to learn of opposition to state funding of community gardening, Are community gardens good for the public health or a wast of taxpayer money? I've been a part of organizing one of these gardens funded in part though a small SHIP grant.  Not only is our garden helping to teach future gardeners through the 4-H program, it is also helping to annually provide healthy vegetables to recipients at a local food shelf. The Victory-Peace garden has already donated nearly 500 pounds worth of food to people in need. Hardly "frivolous" state funding.