Growing fruit and veg in our towns – The Yorkshire Post says

The suggestion by researchers at Sheffield University that urban spaces which are surplus to other requirements could be turned over to growing enough fruit and vegetables to feed 15 per cent of the population, is a potential game-changer.
Dr Jill Edmondson, from Sheffield University on a roof garden at the universityDr Jill Edmondson, from Sheffield University on a roof garden at the university
Dr Jill Edmondson, from Sheffield University on a roof garden at the university

These so-called “grey spaces” are needed for neither industry nor leisure, and their repurposing could reinvent the way in which some of our food is sourced.

This, say the researchers, would not reduce our reliance on the commercial growers whose presence is essential to our rural communities, but will significantly lessen our dependence on imports.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

In Sheffield alone, it is said, space which is already available could provide 90,000 people with their recommended daily intake.

Urban growing has gained significant traction in the last decade, thanks to initiatives such as the Incredible Edible movement that began in Yorkshire. In the present climate, this latest development could precipitate a paradigm shift.

Comment Guidelines

National World encourages reader discussion on our stories. User feedback, insights and back-and-forth exchanges add a rich layer of context to reporting. Please review our Community Guidelines before commenting.