Public produce
Encyclopedia
Public produce is a subset of urban agriculture
. It refers to fruits, vegetables, nuts, and herbs cultivated in public space, and freely available to the public. Public produce differs from traditional community gardens, as the produce from the latter is generally not for public consumption, but for those who tend the garden. Public produce also differs from community gardens in that the food is grown in true public space, such as in parks, plazas, or town squares; along streets; or on the grounds of public institutions, such as city halls, courthouses, libraries, and schools. (Community gardens are often established on vacant residential lots or abandoned private property. These parcels may be owned by the municipality, but they are not generally regarded as true public space, some even having fences and gates to keep the general public from entering).
of World War II
. Public food gardens were quite popular in America during periods of war and economic distress. During the Long Depression
of the 1890s, World War I
, the Great Depression
, and World War II, public food gardens bolstered food security, while encouraging self-reliance. Public produce during the 21st century continues to meet the aims of those earlier public space gardens: bolster the fresh produce supply for communities and promote social equity.
According to Darrin Nordahl, public produce (a term he coined in his book Public Produce: The New Urban Agriculture) comprises three facets:
1. The food must be grown in true public space (parks, plazas, streets, or any space where all members of the public are welcome);
2. The food must be freely available to all members of the public; and
3. The garden is permitted, funded, and/or maintained by public officials, as part of a broad public policy to improve the diets of citizens.
Urban agriculture
Urban agriculture is the practice of cultivating, processing and distributing food in, or around, a village, town or city. Urban agriculture in addition can also involve animal husbandry, aquaculture, agro-forestry and horticulture...
. It refers to fruits, vegetables, nuts, and herbs cultivated in public space, and freely available to the public. Public produce differs from traditional community gardens, as the produce from the latter is generally not for public consumption, but for those who tend the garden. Public produce also differs from community gardens in that the food is grown in true public space, such as in parks, plazas, or town squares; along streets; or on the grounds of public institutions, such as city halls, courthouses, libraries, and schools. (Community gardens are often established on vacant residential lots or abandoned private property. These parcels may be owned by the municipality, but they are not generally regarded as true public space, some even having fences and gates to keep the general public from entering).
History
Public produce is a recent re-emergence of government-endorsed public food gardens, like the Victory GardensVictory garden
Victory gardens, also called war gardens or food gardens for defense, were vegetable, fruit and herb gardens planted at private residences and public parks in United States, United Kingdom, Canada and Germany during World War I and World War II to reduce the pressure on the public food supply...
of World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. Public food gardens were quite popular in America during periods of war and economic distress. During the Long Depression
Long Depression
The Long Depression was a worldwide economic crisis, felt most heavily in Europe and the United States, which had been experiencing strong economic growth fueled by the Second Industrial Revolution in the decade following the American Civil War. At the time, the episode was labeled the Great...
of the 1890s, World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
, the Great Depression
Great Depression
The Great Depression was a severe worldwide economic depression in the decade preceding World War II. The timing of the Great Depression varied across nations, but in most countries it started in about 1929 and lasted until the late 1930s or early 1940s...
, and World War II, public food gardens bolstered food security, while encouraging self-reliance. Public produce during the 21st century continues to meet the aims of those earlier public space gardens: bolster the fresh produce supply for communities and promote social equity.
According to Darrin Nordahl, public produce (a term he coined in his book Public Produce: The New Urban Agriculture) comprises three facets:
1. The food must be grown in true public space (parks, plazas, streets, or any space where all members of the public are welcome);
2. The food must be freely available to all members of the public; and
3. The garden is permitted, funded, and/or maintained by public officials, as part of a broad public policy to improve the diets of citizens.