Statistics show that every bite of food the average American citizens consumes today travels more than 1,500 miles to get to the plate.

On the other hand, gardening greatly shortens that distance and eliminates higher costs associated with food transportation and retail price markup.

In an effort to cut down food costs for residents, officials at the Walnut Hill and East Meadows apartments are beginning to construct a community garden open only to their residents, all of whom are on income-based rent.

“We are trying to give our residents access to produce that is cheap and, for the most part, free,” said Kristal Seeden, property manager at Walnut Hill and East Meadows. “We’re going to also do our best to provide some plants and seeds, and we’re trying to find as many donations we can to help cover those.”

Officials are seeking donations of several different items.

“We need supplies to help build the garden, not just money,” Seeden said. “We’re also looking for volunteers to help set up the garden and gardening and lawn supplies, as well.”

Ace Hardware in Yankton is also set to help officials out by donating about $100 of merchandise for the garden.

Sean Wamble, facilities manager at Walnut Hill and East Meadows said he’s currently going to be the only person constructing the garden.

“The garden will be 50-by-50, so it’s a lot of work to get it going,” he said. “Starting this week, I’ll cut up sod and till it. Getting the gardening going will be a job in itself.”

Despite just beginning to construct the garden, Wamble hopes to have it open at the beginning of July, weather permitting.

The idea came about when Wamble, Seeden and operations manager Christina Pixley were still living in California.

“Community gardens are really common in California,” Wamble said. “The city in California that we are from has community gardens all over, so I think Christina (Pixley) wanted to be able to help out the low-income families that live here. A lot of them don’t get a chance to get fresh fruits and vegetables.”

Seeden said residents have been very interested in the community garden.

“We had a kickoff party a few weeks ago and had a really good turnout,” she said. “So far, we have around 10 people signed up to have a plot, and plots are all free for our residents.”

Wamble added that he thinks the garden can provide a sense of community for residents.

“People can work together and have a common-ground place, as well as meet other residents that live here,” he said. “We’re allowing people to plant whatever they want as time permits and as long as it’s legal. I’m assuming we’re going to have a lot of people planting tomatoes, rhubarb, herbs, lettuce and onions. We also have an area for vertical crops like corn.”

Those interested in donating to the garden can contact Wamble at 562-333-6847 or Seeden at 605-665-4512.

You can follow Andrew Atwal on Twitter at twitter.com/andrewatwal