Urban farming and foraging play essential roles not only in the lives of communities but in the ecosystems as well. Such responsive attitudes allow people to protect the environment and create more opportunities for local businesses and communities in terms of food affordability and employment. For instance, Lohan described in her article that food foraging is “like getting a new lens on life” (Lohan, 2009, p.3). In her material, the author reviews the physiological benefits of finding organic foods in urban areas. The writer emphasizes how much one can learn about different kinds of nutritious plants. This way, one can simply “forget fish pills, just look beneath [their] feet” since the organically grown products are around them (Lohan, 2009, p.3). As a result, foraging can be not just engaging but inexpensive and healthier since such products have more nutrients.
Moreover, urban foraging can involve not just looking for fruits and vegetables in the local area. Recently, the term freeganism has started gaining more popularity due to its environmental consciousness. Stuart, in his TED video, speaks about the menacing power of food waste. Freeganism demonstrates the unfairness of food waste and offers a simple remedy, which is to finish the meal rather than waste (Stuart, 2013). According to the speaker, people have never had such enormous surpluses of produce before (Stuart, 2013). This is a remarkable example of human civilization’s achievement (Stuart, 2013). Therefore, urban foraging helps people concentrate on cheaper ways to remain healthy and create less waste for the sake of the environment.
As for the care that transcends the individual level and concentrates on underprivileged communities, urban farming is the key to resolving public health issues and hunger. In his TED video, Finley describes the issue of obesity in Los Angeles (Finley, 2013). The speaker emphasized that drive-thrus in Central Los Angeles contribute to treatable illnesses that are taking lives (Finley, 2013). His neighborhood’s obesity prevalence is five times greater than Beverly Hills, which is eight or ten miles away (Finley, 2013). This issue can, therefore, be eliminated with access to organic food. Finley’s goal to build public fruit and vegetable gardens around the neighborhood can play an immense role in helping the community to become healthier and more conscious of the fast food issue.
However, urban food foraging and farming is not simply a pastime or a way to enhance public health. The activities developed into a workable business strategy that can supply well-known retail clients. According to Pasquarelli (2014), since produce is grown closer to where it will be eaten, it preserves freshness for a longer period of time and causes fewer expenses for the businesses that use or sell it. In her article, the author discusses how urban gardening initiatives can help the community’s economy by educating and employing locals, generating local tax money, supplying nearby shops and eateries, and promoting the purchase of regional goods (Pasquarelli, 2014). In this case, “urban agriculture is much more than growing tomatoes and kale” (Pasquarelli, 2014, p.1). By establishing green infrastructure and providing entrepreneurs with funding, more opportunities can be given to local individuals. Here, states and cities can ensure lower rates of unemployment and an improved environment, which can reduce mortality and morbidity levels.
Urban foraging and farming are not simply new trends of pastime but tools to preserve ecosystems and protect communities by securing employment and health. At the moment, this is not an issue that should only concern authorities or underprivileged communities. With the ongoing problem of environmental issues, such as food waste, every person nationwide should care since it affects them and their families. However, while environmental issues might not be felt by many, the issue of rising food prices and their poor quality cannot be stressed enough. Now, authorities and activists are engaged in raising awareness about urban foraging and farming. They care because, without such practices, people will continue either struggling with hunger, obesity and other diseases, and unemployment. If the community’s morbidity and unemployment rates rise, there will be a lower quality of life, which can then permeate the entire nation.
References
Finley, R. (2013). A guerrilla gardener in South Central LA. TED. Web.
Lohan, T. (2009). The ultimate in eating local: My adventures in urban foraging. AlterNet. Web.
Pasquarelli, A. (2014). Urban farming benefits the local economy. CrainsNewYork. Web.
Stuart, T. (2012). The global food waste scandal. TED. Web.