June is Community Garden Month

WHEREAS, access to fresh fruits and vegetables encourages healthy eating habits, lowers rates of obesity, diabetes and other diseases; and

WHEREAS, community gardens encourage healthy eating and increase access to local healthy foods; and

WHEREAS, community gardens help strengthen communities and provide opportunities for neighborhood and community development; and

WHEREAS, community gardens encourage physical activity and education; and

WHEREAS, community gardens encourage the protection of green spaces; and

WHEREAS, developing healthy eating habits and participating in physical activities are critical to overall health and physical fitness; and

WHEREAS, the State of North Carolina joins Nourishing North Carolina, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina, North Carolina Recreation and Park Association, North Carolina Community Garden Partners, as well as communities across our state, in promoting access to local, fresh fruits and vegetables through community gardening; 

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BEVERLY EAVES PERDUE, Governor of the State of North Carolina, do hereby proclaim June 2012, as “NORTH CAROLINA COMMUNITY GARDEN MONTH” in North Carolina, and commend its observance to all citizens.  I further encourage citizens to explore ways to include community gardens in their own neighborhoods as a start to living a more healthy life.

BEVERLY EAVES PERDUE

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Great Seal of the State of North Carolina at the Capitol in Raleigh this seventh day of May in the year of our Lord two thousand and twelve, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-sixth.