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Urban Agriculture as a Means to Food Sovereignty? A Case Study of Baltimore City Residents

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  • Brionna Colson-Fearon

    (Department of Psychology, Fordham University, 441 E Fordham Rd, Dealy Hall 226, Bronx, NY 10458, USA)

  • H. Shellae Versey

    (Department of Psychology, Fordham University, 441 E Fordham Rd, Dealy Hall 226, Bronx, NY 10458, USA)

Abstract

A large body of research suggests that neighborhood disparities in food access persist. Emerging evidence suggests that the global COVID-19 pandemic likely exacerbated disparities in food access. Given the potential role that alternative food networks (AFNs) and local food sources may play during times of extreme scarcity, this study examines urban agriculture (e.g., community farms and gardens) as a sustainable strategy to address food insecurity. In-depth qualitative interviews with fifteen community stakeholders revealed several major themes including food insecurity as a feature of systemic racism, food affordability and distance to food as major barriers to food security, and the role of AFNs in creating community empowerment. Our findings indicate that urban agricultural practices help build social capital, inform and educate community members about healthy eating behaviors, and facilitate the distribution of affordable food. Implications for future research and policy targeting sustainable food distribution in marginalized communities of color are discussed.

Suggested Citation

  • Brionna Colson-Fearon & H. Shellae Versey, 2022. "Urban Agriculture as a Means to Food Sovereignty? A Case Study of Baltimore City Residents," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(19), pages 1-16, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:19:p:12752-:d:934132
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    4. Jorinda Steenkamp & Elizelle Juanee Cilliers & Sarel Stephanus Cilliers & Louis Lategan, 2021. "Food for Thought: Addressing Urban Food Security Risks through Urban Agriculture," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(3), pages 1-29, January.
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    Cited by:

    1. Oekan S. Abdoellah & Indri Wulandari & Kinanti Indah Safitri & Nafa Destri Fianti & Rahma Maulia Fadli Basagevan & Mega Nurul Aini & Rosalina Ilmi Amalia & Mahardhika Puspa Arum Suraloka & Gemilang La, 2023. "Urban Agriculture in Great Bandung Region in the Midst of Commercialization, Food Insecurity, and Nutrition Inadequacy," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(13), pages 1-15, June.
    2. Yuchong Long & Zhengwei Cao & Yan Mao & Xinran Liu & Yan Gao & Chuanzhi Zhou & Xin Zheng, 2023. "Research on Evaluation Elements of Urban Agricultural Green Bases: A Causal Inference-Based Approach," Land, MDPI, vol. 12(8), pages 1-27, August.

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