Cities around the world are rethinking food & agriculture.
As the need for sustainable food systems become more pressing, cities around the world are revolutionizing the way they grow, transport, acquire, and sell food. Many cities around the world are now introducing community gardens, and farm-to-table restaurants, while also reducing food loss and waste. People are coming together to relearn how we think about food and agriculture.
These 10 cities are revolutionizing the way we view food. Leading the world in the direction of sustainable eating.
Amsterdam
Amsterdam has long been known for its sustainable approach to food. The city is currently working on changing how food is transported throughout the city. Foodlogica is stepping in to provide e-tricycles to move local food from farms to shops and restaurants. This program aims to solve both environmental concerns and congestion issues within the city.
Austin
Austin’s Sustainable Food Center provides the community with a variety of ways to get involved in food solutions. Through the center, citizens can actively engage in creating a more sustainable food system by growing their own food, meeting local farmers, and learning how to cook with seasonal, nutritious local produce.
Brussels
Brussels has man sustainable food programs including sustainable cafeterias and kitchen gardens. The city frequently puts on Taste Walks through Slow Food Brussels. These events promote sustainable eating by giving spotlight to local food and sustainable agriculture practices going on in the city. Many restaurants are pledging their support by featuring more sustainable food and wine on their menus.
Calgary
Calgary EATS! has set a plan for Calgary to become a more sustainable food city by 2036. The program aims to increase consumption of local food to 30%, have 100% of the city’s food supply be produced by sustainable practices, and bring urban food production up to 5%. Calgary citizens who saw food sustainability initiatives as one of the most important aspects of the city were given the opportunity to give feedback and help create these targets.
Edinburgh
Edinburgh has a goal to become the most sustainable food city in the UK. The city has launched Edible Edinburgh, a plan focused on health, the environment, land use, and the economy. The plan involves everyone in the community. Citizens, families, organizations, and businesses have been called to action to provide feedback and engage in helping to create a better food system for the city.
Newcastle
Food Newcastle launched a Food Charter, a plan to make the city more sustainable, healthy, and active in its food policy. Citizens are encouraged to sign the charter and pledge to help make a difference in Newcastle’s food culture. Newcastle University has signed a Sustainable Fish Pledge, promising to only serve sustainable seafood. Newcastle is one of six cities in the UK chosen in the first round of “Sustainable Food Cities” to receive funding to achieve these goals.
Oakland
The Oakland Food Policy Council, the HOPE Collaborative, and City Slicker Farms are working to improve food systems in the city by addressing issues faced in food deserts. The introduction of urban farming, regional food hubs provide more food security to the people of Oakland. The city is also working to enact the Urban Agriculture Incentive Zone Act to allow empty lots to be converted to long-term urban gardens.
Portland
The City of Portland’s Sustainable Food Program focuses on bringing sustainable food to its residents through policies, and projects that promote community resiliency, equity, and environmental, economic, and personal health. The program has community supported agriculture (CSAs), updates on codes for urban food zoning, a sustainable food resources database, and locations and schedules for local farmers markets. Portland also has a food policy council that meets and speaks about food issues within the city.
Salt Lake City
Salt Lake City has been focused on food sustainability since 2009 when Food Policy Task Force was created. This task force aims to raise public awareness, increase urban farming space, and encourage citizens to eat locally. In 2015, the city released its Sustainable Salt Lake Plan, which outlined goals for continued growth.
Seattle
Seattle has a variety of policies and programs that improve the city’s food sustainability. The city has mandatory recyclable food containers, local food initiatives, and zero waste programs. Seattle also provides community gardens, while also encouraging residents to beautify their streets by growing food in planting strips along sidewalks.
Learn about sustainable food movements happening in your city and get involved.
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By Ariana Marisol via Real Farmacy
Ariana Marisol is a contributing staff writer for REALfarmacy.com. She is an avid nature enthusiast, gardener, photographer, writer, hiker, dreamer, and lover of all things sustainable, wild, and free. Ariana strives to bring people closer to their true source, Mother Nature. She is currently finishing her last year at The Evergreen State College getting her undergraduate degree in Sustainable Design and Environmental Science. Follow her adventures on Instagram.
Photo Credit:
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