Local Food. Right Now. Come on, do it. Do it. Just do It.

A central component of green urbanism is food--local food.  Local food means either grown within the city through urban farming, i.e. someone's backyard (or frontyard), or a vacant lot turned into a mini farm; or it means from the surrounding rural areas, i.e. the Bluegrass Region.  

This article from Grist.org discusses the concept of local, healthy food and a new pilot show is mentioned, called Food Forward, produced by folks out in California.  Here's the video trailer.  The point of the show is to provide a more inspiring and forward-looking view of "people who are changing how we eat in America."  The trailer specifically looks at feeding children better food, and leaving a better legacy for our children.  That's a very admirable and justified thing to do.  The children of our society have become terribly unhealthy, and that will lead to all sorts of healthcare issues later in life for America. That said, I'm more interested in feeding all of us better.  

First off, I know it's not totally realistic to suggest we can feed everyone locally--at least not through the winter.  And at least not right now.  This is primarily because most people have simply lost the skills of farming, harvesting, and storing food--we have devolved in that respect.  But also, a lot of people either don't have the time, or won't make the time, to raise their own garden.  It is a decent bit of work, and requires maybe putting in a little time on weeknights, and a little weekend work.

Imagine the amount of food that could be grown in all the unused/lesser-used spaces in the city though.  Check out other cities:  Front yards (only function aesthetically, and are a resource-hog as it is), back yards (reduced functions with more and more gaming technology and such), some parks, vacant lots (detroit), school yards, etc.


Next post, we'll take a look at Lexington, and the Bluegrass--what's being done, and what else can be done.