Urban RenewalChicago, Detroit, New Orleans, New York City,

Portland, Philadelphia, Boston, BaltimoreSYRACUSE

Morrisville State CollegeSchool of Agriculture, Sustainability,

Business & EntrepreneurshipDepartment of Environmental Sciences

Can abandoned buildings and lots turn food deserts into an oasis?

Yes!

Rendering by: Detroit Collaborative Design Center,University of Detroit Mercy School of ArchitectureDeveloped for: Recovery Park

According to the USDA, “Food deserts are defined as urban neighborhoods and rural towns without ready access to fresh, healthy, and affordable food. Instead of supermarkets and grocery stores, these communities may have no food access or are served only by fast food restaurants and convenience stores that offer few healthy, affordable food options. The lack of access contributes to a poor diet and can lead to higher levels of obesity and other diet-related diseases, such as diabetes and heart disease.”

Are you in a Food Desert?

To find out if your neighborhood is in a food desert, follow the links below :• Food Access Research Atlas,

http://www.ers.usda.gov/data-products/food-access-research-atlas.aspx • About the Atlas:

http://www.ers.usda.gov/data-products/food-access-research-atlas/abo ut-the-atlas.aspx

Aquaponics provides access to fresh produce, can repurpose old buildings and vacant lots, and turn a food desert into an oasis.

Renewal: ChicagoChicago Neighborhoods Now program invests in a south side urban agriculture initiative. Another program in Chicago, Growing Home has created one of the nation’s largest urban agricultural districts. And yet another program, Farmers for Chicago launched this year and will offer vacant city-owned land for farming, provide training and technical assistance and give people the opportunity to grow their own food and start an economic enterprise.

Renewal: Detroit

The Detroit Food Policy Council is an education, advocacy and policy organization led by Detroiters committed to creating a sustainable, local food system that promotes food security, food justice and food sovereignty in the city of Detroit. It was established in 2009 by unanimous approval of The Detroit City Council and it supports urban agriculture as a vector to reaching their mission.http://detroitfoodpolicycouncil.net/

Renewal: New Orleans

The problem of limited food access became acute in particular neighborhoods after Hurricane Katrina. Policy makers and residents recognized the opportunity to rebuild neighborhoods in ways that support health and economic vitality. The City Council unanimously passed a resolution supporting the FPAC [Food Policy Advisory Committee] recommendations and instructed a task force to work toward their implementation.

http://nolafpac.org/

Agriculture: New York CityFive Borough Farm, a project of the Design Trust for Public Space, offers a roadmap to farmers and gardeners, City officials, and other stakeholders to understand and weigh the benefits of urban agriculture. New York is a leader in the practice of urban agriculture.

http://www.fiveboroughfarm.org/urban-agriculture

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Photographer: Rob Stephenson

Agriculture: Philadelphia

Healthy Foods Green Spaces is a coalition of Philadelphia organizations and individuals who support community-managed green space, gardens, and farms through advocacy, grassroots organizing, and education.http://www.pilcop.org/take-action-to-protect-urban-agriculture-in-philadelphia/

Agriculture: BaltimoreIn coordination with the Baltimore Office of Sustainability (BOS), Baltimore Food Policy Initiative supports urban agriculture in Baltimore City by encouraging urban agriculture on vacant land and by promoting urban agriculture policies and regulations.

http://www.baltimorecity.gov/Government/AgenciesDepartments/Planning/BaltimoreFoodPolicyInitiative/UrbanAgriculture.aspx

http://www.baltimorecity.gov/Portals/0/agencies/planning/public%20downloads/CFSC%202011.pdf

Sustainable: BostonThe Office of Food Initiatives in the city of Boston is committed to expanding the potential for urban agriculture and is actively working with the Boston Redevelopment Authority (BRA), the mayor's Urban Agriculture Working Group, and community stakeholders to make additional opportunities for urban food production available for Bostonians through the Urban Agriculture Rezoning.

http://www.cityofboston.gov/food/urbanag/

Sustainable: PortlandThe Sustainable Food Program administered by the Bureau of Planning and Sustainability focuses on policy and projects that promote community resiliency, equity, and environmental, economic, and personal health.

http://www.portlandoregon.gov/bps/41480

Syracuse: Renewal, Urban Agriculture & Sustainability

Syracuse has the potential to do what many cities have done. The Bureau of Planning and Sustainability is in the process of developing Syracuse’s Sustainability Plan.The plan will be broken up into five components: Waste & Recycling, Energy Conservation and Green Building, Food Systems, Green Education and Training, and the Natural Environment.”

http://www.syracuse.ny.us/sustainabilityplan.aspx

Syracuse: Renewal, Urban Agriculture & Sustainability

The Helping Hands Urban Farming Initiative, an outreach program that is part of Concerned Citizens Action Program (C-CAP), is working to engage private companies and local grocers to assist in revitalizing neighborhoods and educating children, youth and adults from the South and West sides of Syracuse in community-based, urban garden projects.

Finding SpaceIn every city there are empty or abandoned buildings. These building can be used for controlled environment agriculture (CEA) aquaponics, aquaculture or hydroponics. There are also vacant lots which can be turned into more traditional agriculture either in or above the ground.

Repurposing buildings and lots create a better quality of life, attract businesses, jobs and people, and protect greenfield (undeveloped spaces). Many cities offer support through government programs which include loans an grants.

What can you do? Support your local urban farming by volunteering, donating or buying directly from the farm

Ask for local produce at your grocery and restaurant

Ask your local government to support urban agriculture through initiatives, zoning, and programs

Go to farmer’s markets

Resources

http://www.epa.gov/swerosps/bf/urbanag/pdf/bf_urban_ag.pdf

http://search.ams.usda.gov/farmersmarkets/

http://www.dos.ny.gov/communitieswaterfronts/pdfs/Guidebooks/ab/AbandonedBuildnings.pdf