Did you know that by 2050, the United Nations estimates that 70% of the world's population will live in cities? With so many people living in urban and suburban areas, it's important to find ways to provide fresh, healthy food for everyone.

What is an Urban Food Desert?

An urban food desert occurs when it is challenging to find affordable and nutritious food in a particular area of a city. Low-income neighborhoods often experience this issue due to limited grocery stores and supermarkets, and residents may not have transportation access.

The US Department of Agriculture identifies an area as a food desert if either 500 individuals or 33% of the population live more than a mile away from a supermarket or large grocery store.

People who reside in urban food deserts must travel long distances to find fresh produce, meat, and other healthy food choices. This lack of access to nutritious food can cause health problems like heart disease, diabetes, and obesity.

To address this problem, communities are taking steps such as creating community gardens, hosting farmers' markets, and utilizing mobile food trucks to supply fresh produce and healthy food options to neighborhoods lacking access.

Healthy food is a basic need for everyone, but alas, some parts of our cities lack access to affordable and nutritious grub. This can lead to significant health inequalities, perpetuating a cycle of unfairness within our communities. These areas, known as food deserts, are an all-too-common issue that impacts many urban neighborhoods.

Sure, smaller grocery stores may exist within these zones, but fresh food options are a rarity. This leaves residents with no choice but to frequent overpriced and often unhealthy convenience stores and mini-marts.

Ultimately, it all comes down to money. Grocery stores only set up shop where they can rake in the dough, and let's face it, the profit margins in this industry are anything but luxurious.

But listen up, everyone: Access to nutritious food should be a right for every single person, no matter where they live. Convincing folks to invest in food deserts may be a bit of a challenge, but developing sustainable solutions is the key to a healthier, fairer future for us all.

Grow Your Own

One way to address the issue is by employing permaculture principles to grow your own food in your backyard.

Growing edible gardens is an excellent approach to produce fresh produce and save money. Whether it's a small balcony or a spacious backyard, individuals can grow vegetables, fruits, and herbs in raised beds, ground, pots, or trellises. Home gardening not only enhances nutrition but also builds community connections.

However, individuals must consider the environmental impact of home gardening. Fertilizers and chemicals used in gardening can harm local ecosystems by polluting local watersheds through runoff. To avoid this, individuals should adopt ecological gardening by using native productive plants and reducing chemical usage.

Employing permaculture principles enables homeowners to create gardens that benefit the environment and their productivity. By working with nature, individuals can produce sustainable environments that provide food, shelter, and other resources. Here are some tips for incorporating permaculture principles into gardening:

• Observe and interact with nature: Before starting a garden, individuals should observe natural systems like soil, water, and sunlight. This information can guide garden design to work with these natural systems.
• Use natural materials: Instead of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides, natural materials such as compost, mulch, and garlic or neem oil should be used.
• Plant a diverse range of crops: Planting a single crop over a large area can lead to nutrient depletion and vulnerability to pests and disease. Planting diverse crops that complement each other can enrich soil with a variety of nutrients.
• Use companion planting: Crops that have a mutually beneficial relationship, like beans and corn, should be planted together.
• Practice water conservation: Techniques like rainwater harvesting, drip irrigation, and mulching should be used to reduce water usage.
• Incorporate animals: Animals such as chickens or goats can provide manure for the garden and control pests.

Local governments can encourage urban and residential farming by implementing policies, tax incentives, and including urban agriculture in the planning process. For instance, Boston adopted a zoning policy in 2013 that allowed for traditional and rooftop gardening, community gardens, hydro and aquaponics, beekeeping, chicken raising, and farmers' markets. Additionally, some governments offer grants and other forms of support to community groups starting productive gardens in residential areas. The Urban Agriculture Incentive Zones Act in California allows landowners to use vacant land for agriculture in exchange for a property tax reduction.

Collaboration can create fresh opportunities for individuals to grow their own food, promoting eco-friendly practices and enjoying the benefits of healthy, fresh produce.

Permaculture and ecological gardening practices offer social and communal benefits. Growing one's own food promotes autonomy and self-reliance while connecting individuals with their community. Sharing expertise and harvests can strengthen community bonds and reinforce local food systems.

Individuals can find numerous resources to begin their permaculture garden, such as local gardening groups, extension offices, and permaculture organizations. Workshops, conferences, and other events offer opportunities to learn about permaculture and meet other gardening enthusiasts.

Permaculture involves working with nature to establish sustainable environments that provide food, shelter, and other essential resources. Incorporating permaculture principles into gardening can create a productive, sustainable habitat that benefits individuals and the natural world. By supporting sustainable urban agriculture through local governments, community groups, and other resources, we can build a healthier and more united future for all.