How much do urban gardens contribute to our food supply?

E: The Environmental Magazine, Jan-Feb, 2004 by Katherine Kerlin

--Wayne Chow, New York, NY

The United Nations Development Program estimates that urban gardens, like the ones springing up all over New York City and Seattle, provide 15 percent of the world's food supply. They also create sorely needed jobs in neglected neighborhoods and introduce concrete-raised children to the wonders of nature. Gardens bolster community pride and eliminate some of the environmental problems of modern agribusiness, including heavy use of pesticides and pollution from long-distance transportation.

Town planners, who may worry that constituents will be offended by manure and dirt, often view urban agriculture suspiciously. However, there are many examples of successful urban gardens. Hong Kong, one of the world's most densely populated cities, produces about half of its vegetables in urban gardens. In Moscow, nearly 65 percent of families engage in some kind of food production. In Havana, Cuba, urban gardens also play a crucial role.

South Central Los Angeles' "Food from the 'Hood" program provides college funds for the high school students who maintain organic gardens. San Francisco's Fresh Start Farms employs homeless families to grow produce for local restaurants. Even some U.S. prisons have now started urban gardens, which can be on rooftops as well as on the ground. CONTACT: Food from the 'Hood, (888)601-FOOD, www.foodfromthehood.com; Fresh Start Farms, (415)487-9778, www.grassroots.org/usa/fresh.shtml.>

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