DRAFT HOW TO NAVIGATE GROWING FROM THE ROOT Growing from the Root is a 10-year road map for a thriving local food system and economy with an urban agricultural foundation. This introductory chapter provides an overview of Philadelphia’s food system, describes urban agriculture in Philadelphia today, and traces the history of agriculture in the city through time. The second chapter documents the public engagement process that shaped the plan, including the community-driven values, vision, and goals for the future of urban agriculture in Philadelphia. The remaining chapters focus on the elements of the food system: Land, Production, Preparation & Distribution, Consumption, Waste Reduction, and People. Each chapter envisions a new way forward toward a more just, equitable, and sustainable food system. Each food system chapter includes: > An overview of the topics covered > Why these topics are important to the food system > How the City currently interacts with this element of the food system, including information about what is working, critical needs, issues, and challenges > Potential for change and lessons learned from other cities > Recommendations
FROM THE ROOT: AN INTRODUCTION
Every recommendation has a set of action steps and names the City agencies and partners necessary to implement. The recommendations also address phasing, identifying short-term, mid-term, and longterm priorities. It is important to remember that each chapter featuring a different element of the food system is interrelated with the others. The chapters work together to accomplish the goals of this plan.
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A concluding Implementation chapter explores the institutional support and resources needed to take action on the recommendations. Altogether, this plan provides a blueprint for the infrastructure needed to support those who carry out and benefit from the work of urban agriculture in Philadelphia.
PHILADELPHIA PARKS & RECREATION
LAND & PEOPLE, THREADS THROUGHOUT THE PLAN Land is central to how Look farmers and gardeners out for the in Philadelphia two lines that understand the local run through the food system and center of this book. the role of urban They represent land and agriculture within people —and how they the food system. are key to understanding Connection to land, every part of the food connection to people system. through food, and the practice of growing and sharing food are at the heart of why Philadelphians value urban agriculture.
ACCORDING TO LOCAL GROWERS Urban agriculture is: > Using the land in a dense city to grow, and using that growth to nourish communities, continuing ancestral knowledge > Stewardship of the land by and for the people; remediating and improving the land through cultivation Land is essential—urban agriculture: > Connects food, land, the environment, and culture across generations > Reconnects us with the land, ecology, and each other > Connects us to the land and the food that sustains us, and supports community building and empowerment > Is a powerful practice in economic, climate, land, and racial justice > Can help us use land in regenerative, collective, just, and productive ways to mitigate and/or adapt to a changing climate > Teaches respect for the land, understanding of where food comes from and supports healthy and sustainable living > Sustains our communities spiritually, emotionally, and nutritionally, teaching us how to take care of our land and each other.
