FOOD
Nowadays, it is recognised that the food we put on our plate is a consequence of the way we farm and grow. These policies and practices affect the climate, the surrounding natural environment and the nature of the food business as well as the way we transport produce around the globe. However, this has led to an over reliance on intensive farming, food monocultures, chemical pesticides, and an expectation that for those that can afford it, the availability of fresh food products at all times of the year.
Ignoring seasonality, local knowledge, overlooking the significance of the terroir / soil have taken a toll on the planet and created a dependency on a globalised approach and at street level, a reliance on restricted food chains controlled through supermarkets as our main food exchanges. This all pervasive approach has consistently overlooked the role of Nature, the flexibility of biodiversity, and in the urban landscape the opportunity to supplement food by growing locally and being re-connected to the land. However, most recently there has been a counter cultural shift towards a more plant based diet, a desire for fresh, diverse, organic and home grown fruit and vegetables.Combined with post-Covid changes in cosmopolitan lifestyles, this has re-engaged urban dwellers attitudes and has fostered a new found curiosity in everyday gardening too!
