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Could Toronto Provide 10% of its Fresh Vegetable Requirements from within its Own Boundaries? Matching Consumption Requirements with Growing Spaces

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  • MacRae, Rod
  • Gallant, Eric
  • Patel, Sima
  • Michalak, Marc
  • Bunch, Martin
  • Schaffner, Stephanie

Abstract

Is it feasible for Toronto to produce and market 10% of its fresh vegetable requirements from within its own boundary, without competing with existing Ontario vegetable producers? We used zoning maps, aerial photography, and numerous exclusionary and inclusionary criteria to identify potential food production sites across the city and, after identifying organic vegetable production yields, to calibrate supply potentials against current vegetable consumption estimates for the Toronto population. It was determined that Toronto required 2,317 hectares (5,725 acres) of food production area to meet current demand, if all production were organic to fulfill other municipal environmental objectives. Of this, 1073.5 ha (2,653 acres) of land could be available from existing Census farms producing vegetables, lands currently zoned for food production, certain areas zoned for industrial uses, and over 200 small plots (0.4–2 ha or 1–4.9 acres) dotted throughout the northeast and northwest of the city. In addition, 1243.5 ha (3,072.8 acres) of rooftop space would also be required. The land and rooftop space available suggests, however, that there would be difficulties meeting requirements for land-extensive crops such as sweet corn, squash, potatoes, cabbage, carrots, and asparagus.

Suggested Citation

  • MacRae, Rod & Gallant, Eric & Patel, Sima & Michalak, Marc & Bunch, Martin & Schaffner, Stephanie, 2010. "Could Toronto Provide 10% of its Fresh Vegetable Requirements from within its Own Boundaries? Matching Consumption Requirements with Growing Spaces," Journal of Agriculture, Food Systems, and Community Development, Center for Transformative Action, Cornell University, vol. 1(2).
    • Handle: RePEc:ags:joafsc:359385
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Ellen Desjardins & Rod MacRae & Theresa Schumilas, 2010. "Linking future population food requirements for health with local production in Waterloo Region, Canada," Agriculture and Human Values, Springer;The Agriculture, Food, & Human Values Society (AFHVS), vol. 27(2), pages 129-140, June.
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    Cited by:

    1. MacRae, Rod & Nasr, Joe & Kuhns, James & Baker, Lauren & Christianson, Russ & Danyluk, Martin & Snider, Abra & Gallant, Eric & Kaill-Vinish, Penny & Michalak, Marc & Oswald, Janet & Patel, Sima & Weke, 2012. "Could Toronto Provide 10% of its Fresh Vegetable Requirements from Within its Own Boundaries? Part II, Policy Supports and Program Design," Journal of Agriculture, Food Systems, and Community Development, Center for Transformative Action, Cornell University, vol. 2(2).
    2. Robert, Naomi & Mullinix, Kent, 2018. "Municipal Policy Enabling Regional Food Systems in British Columbia, Canada: Assessing Focal Areas and Gaps," Journal of Agriculture, Food Systems, and Community Development, Center for Transformative Action, Cornell University, vol. 8(B).
    3. Patel, Sima & MacRae, Rod, 2012. "Community Supported Agriculture in the City: The Case of Toronto," Journal of Agriculture, Food Systems, and Community Development, Center for Transformative Action, Cornell University, vol. 2(4).

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