Local Food Systems in Old Industrial Regions

As growing populations demand more food and available agricultural lands dwindle, interest in local food systems has grown at a phenomenal level. The authors here explore local food systems located in mature and/or declining industrial regions as a possible source of locally grown food, not to mention employment. There are, however, challenges. And as the authors explain, those challenges are more than simply finding safe locations to grow nutritious food. Some specific topics include urban farming and rethinking urban gardening, benchmarking local food systems in older industrial regions, an analysis of food insecurity in lower income urban communities, urban food production limits and the practicality of community gardens, and planning for sustainable food systems. The book is both well-written and well-researched. Editors are Gatrell (geography, Indiana State U.), Reid (geography and planning, U. of Toledo), and Ross (research associate, U. of Toledo Urban Affairs Center). Annotation c2012 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Neil Reid is a Director of the Urban Affairs Center and Professor of Geography and Planning at the University of Toledo, USA, Jay D. Gatrell, is Dean of the College of Graduate and Professional Studies and Professor of Geography at the Indiana State University, USA and Paula Ross is a Research Associate at the Urban Affairs Center, University of Toledo, USA.