Wednesday 18 March 2020

Urban farming could provide ‘five a day’ for 90,000 people

A recent study conducted by the University of Sheffield revealed growing fruit and vegetables in just 10% of the city’s gardens and other urban green spaces could provide 15% of the local population with their ‘five a day’.

The researchers investigated the potential for urban horticulture by mapping green and grey spaces across the city and found that a total of 38% of green space had immediate potential to start growing food.

Noting that the UK is dependent on complex international supply chains for the majority of its fruits and vegetables, Dr Jill Edmondson, Environmental Scientist at the University of Sheffield, said: “Our research suggests there is more than enough space to grow what we need on our doorsteps.”

By growing produce locally, the food and agriculture sector can reduce the amount of transport that is required and as a result, significantly cut the volume of emissions generated.