The Urban Food Revolution: Changing the Way We Feed Cities

I had to buy for an environmental science class essay begrudgingly but ended up really into this book. Packed with really interesting information and the author does an incredible job at addressing the food industry from an impressive range of perspectives. I learned quite a few things and even got to adjust some lifestyle things I’d assumed were the best before reading this. Plus the copy I received was signed by the author which is nice!Overall a very palatable read if you have the time.

As someone with minimal background on urban farming this was very informative in the ways we as a society can regain control of the food we eat. As well as how detrimental the lack of fresh and healthy food can have on food deserts in low income / repressed area of any country. I know I will be more conscious of the food choices I make while not excessively burdening myself financially. Everyone making a small step to healthier foods will bring more jobs to your area and hopefully reduce carbon emissions. In the end we all want affordable healthy foods for everyone, and we'll have to work together to get there.

Another great resource on growing and sharing the produce from one's garden. I was aware many 'grassroots groups' were growing flowers and veggies, but this was eye opening. We CAN solve a lot of hunger issues. Now to convince school boards and local governments to support local gardens. I underlined a lot of facts in this book!

It is a very good book. However, it needs a bit more references and I am not entirely convinced about some information there, but still a very good one. I recommend it

Good book.

Absolutely touching!If you can not read it don't eat it!This will make you change how you feel about school lunches!

This is a book everone should have. It takes a very large and often complex subject and gives real world examples of what can be done.

In a world increasingly fed by use of industrialized agriculture following the “Green Revolution” of the post WWII era, individuals are beginning to speak out regarding issues brought about by food insecurity and unsustainability—especially in urban locations. Peter Ladner of Vancouver, British Columbia, is such an individual, and finds a voice in The Urban Food Revolution—Changing the Way We Feed Cities. With over 35 years of journalistic experience and two terms as Vancouver’s City Councillor, Ladner has seen first-hand the tension between industrialized agriculture, sustainable agronomy, and food-insecure families within the context of urban environments. Thus, Ladner seeks to utilize his extensive research regarding the urban agricultural movement in North America and the UK as motivation for the urbanite, policymaker, and farmer alike to unite and support a common cause: changing the way we feed cities. In compiling and synthesizing an argument for the urban food revolution, it is highly evident that Ladner has “done his homework.” Each chapter is bursting at the seams with references to various sources, many of which were personally interviewed. Various website addresses, intriguing facts and anecdotes, photographs, and “do it yourself” inserts are scattered throughout the work, which collaboratively provide support to the framework Ladner builds as a case for agricultural revolution in urban environments. A particular “how to” insert of interest is found in the chapter entitled “Growing Community with Community Gardens,” where a two page, 10-step list regarding implementation of a community garden is provided. Furthermore, the structural layout and organization of each chapter is instrumental to the work’s success and easy-to-read feel: Ladner generally introduces an issue, provides ideas for a solution, and spends the remainder of the chapter’s space providing examples of what is working in specific locations—and what isn’t. Despite the many strengths of The Urban Food Revolution, there exist some minor shortcomings. The main weakness of the work can be summed in the relative dearth of scientific research used to support Ladner’s claims. Although hundreds of references are consulted throughout the book, Ladner rarely appeals to scientific literature, especially when his claims need it the most. For instance, his introductory chapter entitled “What’s the Matter with Food?” contains many facts and figures regarding the current state of industrialized agriculture, but few references to scientific papers. Ultimately, this transpires throughout the remainder of the book, leading to an overemphasis on local organic diets deemed “sustainable,” and an underemphasized view regarding industrialized agriculture, when in reality both agricultural systems must contribute together to overall global yield increase in order to feed a substantially growing human population. Ladner opens his advocacy for the urban food revolution with a general but contextualized overview of the current (grim) state of agriculture in North America. He discusses the development of local-based diets as a retaliation to rampant food insecurity in modern North American cities, citing the urban agricultural movement as a valiant effort to produce locally grown crops and take the edge off hunger, crime, and obesity in our ever-growing cities. Ladner focuses much of his work on the economic and policy-related aspects of the urban food revolution, synthesizing information regarding various economic benefits, policy developments, and individual entrepreneurial undertakings in the realm of increasing the self-sufficiency of cities. Readers are encouraged and empowered to take a stand against obesity, the debilitated food transport and delivery infrastructure, and unsustainable practices of current agriculture by eating local, investing in community supported agriculture (CSA) movements, and becoming more aware of modern developments in feeding cities and their citizens. Although Ladner’s claims regarding the urban food revolution can at times be overemphasized organic and “locavore” propaganda, these assertions can be taken with a grain of salt without detracting from the overall beauty of his work. Ladner effectively synthesizes information from a variety of sources and a wealth of different aspects of the urban agriculture movement into an easy-to-read, engaging book that is destined to spark excitement and renewal in the way we feed cities.

excellent book

Esta muy bueno el libro porque ayuda a brindar un panorama más amplio de cómo impacta el cultivo urbano en las ciudades. Mas alla de solo sembrar alimentos los huertos pueden ser espacios de transformación. Brinda muchos ejemplos y aspectos colaterales sobre el impacto de la horticultura en la ciudad.

Great book, well researched with lots of practical and positive examples of urban food production systems. I highly recommend it.