Jacksonville residents push for ‘Free to Garden Act’ amid parasite outbreak concerns

Several Jacksonville residents went before City Council on Tuesday to push for legislation that would make it easier for people to grow and share food from their own yards — and at least one speaker tied the push to a recent local parasite outbreak.No bill is currently before the council, but residents used public comment to call for what they’re calling the “Free to Garden Act” — a proposed measure that would allow people to grow food in their yards and share, exchange, and distribute it without local government or zoning restrictions.Residents cite food access, neighborhood healthRoxy McCloud, who was identified as representing Common Ground Garden, urged council members to get behind the effort.“I’m here to support that act to garden,” McCloud said. “It’s not just for food and stability — it grows neighborhoods.”Curtis White echoed that sentiment, pointing to the broader community benefits of garden access.“I have seen how community gardens promote public health and strengthen neigh