Monday, 17 December 2012

Creating a New Food Source


Food Security is a major issue all over the world. When one thinks about what food security means they do not think about Canada and how it impacts Canadians. One solution that has evolved to help with the lack of food is urban farming. Urban farming has spread to the United States and people are starting to buy into programs such as The Stop Community Food Center. Chris Levkoe (2006) says in his article that this is not just an area where people in need can grow food. This idea of creating sections of farmable land in cities and allowing people to farm their own food allows them to reconnect with the source of their food and nutrition. Places like Halifax’s Urban Garden and Toronto’s Urban Agriculture all differ in characteristics but all allow community members to take part in growing their own food. This is a part of what Levkoe refers to as a Food Justice movement.

This place also creates other opportunities for those taking part in farming. By being a part of this great opportunity, people in the community are brought closer together as it gives neighbours a chance to get to know other people in their neighbourhoods. By teaching people new skills like farming, they can feed themselves and take these new skills learned and apply them to job opportunity. This is also a chance for some people to learn other skills such as responsibility and communication which are essential in everyday life.

 By creating a means of alternative food sources rather than just supporting the corporate giants this allows the people participating in the gardens to feel a sense of power and control over their lives; the feeling that they are making a difference and taking a stand. When the community plots show progress the community members are able to witness their efforts coming together and this gives them a sense of accomplishment. These people are not only creating a cheaper alternative to buying food from massive corporation, they are producing healthier food for themselves. Many people partaking in the urban farming would not be able to afford such healthy food because in today economy it is cheaper for people to eat processed food. In the end, by getting closer to the source of their food and feeling the positives that come from the gardens when they prosper, these people are creating a healthy life style for themselves and their families.
 
 

Levkoe, C.Z. (2006). "Learning democracy through food justice movements," Agriculture and Human Values 23: 8998.

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