Picture this: the warm glow of the morning sun spilling over lush raised garden beds in Harlem, New York. It’s a bustling Saturday with people of all ages tending to the plants, picking collard greens, composting, and bagging fresh veggies.

In 2011, a fantastic project called Harlem Grown sprouted from a single urban farm on an abandoned lot, now serving as a vital support system for the community. They’ve provided over 150,000 meals in 2023 alone, inspiring the younger generation to embrace healthy eating habits from a young age.

In different neighborhoods across New York City, a dynamic team of urban farmers, non-profit leaders, nutritionists, and chefs join forces to create local food systems. This helps communities become more self-sufficient and less reliant on unhealthy processed foods, especially in lower-income areas where fast-food joints dominate.

Young, female urban farmers in New York are using their skills to make a political statement through farming, much like fashion. They’re getting trained at Farm School NYC, equipping them to lead the food justice movement effectively.

Growing food locally in urban areas is key to reducing our ecological footprint and reviving traditional food practices. Women in my book, “What if Women Designed the City?” explore how community efforts in North America and the UK are reshaping food systems at a grassroots level.

Research shows that digging into the soil can boost mood by releasing feel-good chemicals like serotonin. This aligns with the concept of “green care,” showing how activities like gardening can reduce stress and anxiety.

In this movement for food justice, the focus is on growing native plants that thrive naturally in the environment. Women from Grass Roots Remedies workers cooperative in Edinburgh are championing this idea, creating their herbal medicines, and promoting local biodiversity.

By repurposing empty lots for community gardens, women are leading the charge in urban resilience. They’re integrating food production into urban planning and making sure that green spaces are part of new developments, fostering healthier communities and a more sustainable way of living.

If you would like to see similar science posts like this, click here & share this article with your friends!