Urban farming is becoming an increasingly popular trend in London, with a variety of organizations and initiatives taking advantage of the opportunity to improve access to healthy and affordable food. From high-tech indoor farms to mobile apps that connect producers and consumers, there are a number of ways that urban agriculture is being used to meet the demands of an increasingly urban population. In this article, we'll explore the different types of organizations involved in urban farming in London, as well as the initiatives they are undertaking to improve access to food, urban agriculture, and neighborhood development. The Kalobeyei settlement in northern Kenya is an example of how urban agriculture can be used as a tool for empowerment by improving food security, nutrition, and self-sufficiency for refugees. In Medellín, municipal urban garden programs such as Orchards for Supply and Gardens with You were used to supply urban food vendors, create greater proximity to markets and reduce market circuits, thus increasing production connectivity and creating safe alternative food sources. The GrowUp Box, a community farm developed together with sister organization GrowUp Community Farms, produces more than 400 kg of salads and 150 kg of fish each year.
GrowUp Urban Farms works to develop commercial-scale controlled environment (CEP) production solutions to grow fresh food in communities in London. During the recent pandemic, organizations such as Black Urban Growers and Rise and Root Farm played a critical role in addressing food shortages in the Bronx. It provides strategic development and project management services to improve access to food, urban agriculture, and neighborhood development initiatives in cities.
Agricool
, an urban farming initiative based in Paris, is working to create a network of urban farmers through the Cooltivators training program. The aim is to open up job opportunities for city residents to work in the agricultural sector.In Tokyo's Ōtemachi district, Pasona Urban Ranch, an initiative of the Pasona Group, is a combination of office space and animal farm.
Angel Adelaja
, a young entrepreneur dedicated to organic farming, faced multiple challenges with conventional farming practices including access to land, water, and technology. Fortunately, hundreds of entrepreneurs and organizations are taking advantage of this opportunity to improve urban agriculture and meet the demands of an increasingly urban population. From high-tech indoor farms in France and Singapore to mobile apps that connect producers and consumers in India and the United States, there are many initiatives that use technology, entrepreneurship, and social innovation to change urban agriculture. Urban farms are critical not only for the resilience of municipal food systems but also for achieving greater regional sustainability. They can act as collection points for larger farms in the regions, thus providing a greater variety of food to the local population, increasing dietary options and access to culturally and nutritionally important foods. In conclusion, there are many types of organizations involved in urban farming in London.From startups sourcing organic ingredients from family farmers to initiatives that use technology, entrepreneurship, and social innovation to change urban agriculture – these organizations are playing an important role in improving access to healthy and affordable food.
