Urban food gardening: economic drivers and outcomes. A case study in community and allotment gardens in Rennes, France

A growing body of evidence shows that gardening can be beneficial for multiple determinants of health, including economic situation. While this has been highlighted in the case of economically vulnerable gardeners, particularly in the U.S., less is known about broader populations and other contexts. This study explores the economic dimensions of gardening among a population of collective gardeners in a major French city (Rennes), to support the integration of economic outcomes into health impact assessments. Based on field observations (n = 19), questionnaires (n = 230), and semi-structured interviews (n = 5) conducted across collective gardens in the city, the findings show that gardeners tend to be older, more educated, and more likely to have held higher-status jobs than the general population, although a considerable proportion of them had modest incomes. Despite these findings, Economic savings were not a primary motivation for gardening, and practices were not focused on maximizing yield. Gardening experience, rather than income level, was the strongest predictor of financial savings. Garden design features, such as the presence of individual plots, also influenced outcomes. Main expenses included seeds, seedlings, and equipment, especially for beginners. Tomatoes, courgettes, and green beans were the most commonly consumed produce. Overall, the estimated economic benefits were modest. These results suggest that the economic impacts of gardening are shaped by both gardeners' socio-demographic profiles and garden design. These factors should therefore be better considered when planning in garden planning and in initiatives promoting gardening. Further research would benefit from a more detailed description of gardening contexts to better assess their broader impacts.