Urban Farming Addressing Hunger (and More) in Pittsburgh

This article features the many urban farms within the Pittsburgh area and the wide variety of advantages urban farming can bring to the city. Primarily, urban farms are created to address hunger and food insecurity. However, Dani Lamorte’s reporting highlights the multiple co-benefits that urban agriculture can bring to the city and its residents, including outdoor social space, mitigation of urban heat islands, reduction of the carbon footprint, reduction of food deserts, strengthening of food distribution networks, increasing neighborhood aesthetics, and providing opportunities for education and economic development. 

The article also highlights the need for transparency and clarity in urban agriculture operations.  City officials may be unaware of laws or codes pertaining to urban farming, which can impair critical conversations between the urban farmers and the city, negatively impacting urban farms. There are also far fewer Black-owned and operated farms (92) than white-owned and operated farms (89,328) within Pennsylvania, signaling a large racial discrepancy. Additionally, gentrification and a lack of connection to agriculture and the environment are critical issues in urban farming.

Productive landscapes such as urban farms can have significant positive impacts on their communities. This article serves as a call to action for a better understanding of urban agriculture to planners, city officials, and communities who can encourage urban farms in spaces where they can have long-lasting impacts and strengthen communities in need. They can be a vital resource for basic human rights, increase local food production and food security, and improve community and individual health.