The fringes of land where urban and rural areas meet are known as peri-urban areas. These city edges have traditionally been food-producing areas, however, increasing conversion to commercial and residential uses, fragmentation, land-use conflicts and global challenges pose a threat to the viability of food production in peri-urban areas. Our research considers what this means for the future of feeding the world's urban populations, and for farming.
- Our Sydney Food Futures Project demonstrated the food security implications of urban expansion and analysed the planning and policy opportunities for advancing periurban food production. In partnership with the Sydney Peri-Urban Network, ISF developed a series of interactive food maps of Sydney’s current and future food production, and explored with stakeholders the feasibility and desirability of future scenarios and trade-offs to support improved decision making.
- To demonstrate the potential future of city food production, ISF organised an edible food wall installation and series of events at Sydney’s Powerhouse Museum. The installation and talks gave practical tips and inspiring insights into ways that people can grow edible food in small urban spaces.
- Recycled organic waste is also a critical component of our research. We collaborated with NSW Farmers and the Greater Sydney Local Land Services on the ‘Next Gen Compost’ project, to investigate current and potential demand for recycled organics across New South Wales. Together we implemented on-farm trials to demonstrate sustainable soil use and productivity benefits in capsicum and corn crops. We conducted surveys, interviews and other social analyses with stakeholders along the supply chain – growers, supply chain participants and consumers – to identify barriers that vegetable growers face to composting as well as opportunities to drive demand.