scholarly journals The Sustainability of Urban Food Systems: The Case of Mozzarella Production in the City of Milan

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 682 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marta Castrica ◽  
Vera Ventura ◽  
Sara Panseri ◽  
Giovanni Ferrazzi ◽  
Doriana Tedesco ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Food Chain ◽  
Food Production ◽  
Food Systems ◽  
Preliminary Evaluation ◽  
Production Chain ◽  
Economic Dimension ◽  
Global Sustainability ◽  
Urban Food Production ◽  
Developed World ◽  
The City

Background: Urban food production in the developed world has recently been facing the challenge of feeding the world’s cities adequately and on a sustainable basis, and innovative models of food production can help this transition. Nevertheless, this field of research largely focuses on primary food production—so-called urban farming—while the subsequent steps of the food chain have scarcely been investigated. In this context, this study aimed to provide a preliminary evaluation of urban food processing, taking mozzarella cheese production in the city of Milan as a case study. Methods: Five urban farmers participated in a direct survey aiming at identifying how sustainable this specific production chain can be considered. Results: Results demonstrated that the concept of urban food production is really valorized through measures able to enhance the global sustainability of the food production process only in some of the dairy micro- enterprises and that the economic dimension must be considered the variable most critically involved in hampering the global sustainability of this specific food chain. Conclusions: This research suggests the need to disseminate a global governance of urban supply chains and to support local activities, which represent a sensitive and strategic sector.

scholarly journals Multitemporal Geospatial Evaluation of Urban Agriculture and (Non)-Sustainable Food Self-Provisioning in Milan, Italy

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (7) ◽  
pp. 1846 ◽  
Author(s):  
Giuseppe Pulighe ◽  
Flavio Lupia
Keyword(s):  
Urban Agriculture ◽  
Food Production ◽  
Food Systems ◽  
Arable Land ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Google Earth ◽  
Total Production ◽  
Ancillary Data ◽  
Sustainable Food ◽  
The City

Urban agriculture in Global North cities is strongly promoted as a sustainable solution to achieve different goals, such as food production, quality of life, and well-being. Although several attempts have been made to evaluate urban agriculture production, few studies have investigated food production in a multitemporal geospatial way and considered per capita population needs, gender, and age strata consumption. This study presents a spatiotemporal quantification of urban agriculture in the city of Milan (Italy) for assessing food self-provisioning potential. We utilized high-resolution Google Earth images and ancillary data to create a detailed cadaster of urban agriculture for the years 2007 and 2014. Based on four scenarios of food production and statistical data on vegetables and cereals consumption, we estimated current total production and requirements for the city dwellers. Our results showed that the actual extension of vegetable gardens (98 ha) and arable land (2539 ha) in the best scenario could satisfy approximately 63,700 and 321,000 consumers of vegetables and cereal products, respectively. Overall, current urban agriculture production is not able to meet vegetables and cereal consumption for more than 1.3 million city residents. Scenario estimates suggest rethinking land use promoting horticultural production to achieve more sustainable food systems.

A Semiquantitative Approach for Evaluating Safety Assurance Levels for Salmonella spp. throughout a Food Production Chain

2003 ◽  
Vol 66 (7) ◽  
pp. 1146-1153 ◽  
Author(s):  
I. SAULI ◽  
J. DANUSER ◽  
C. WENK ◽  
K. D. C. STÄRK
Keyword(s):  
Foodborne Pathogens ◽  
Food Production ◽  
Systematic Evaluation ◽  
Animal Origin ◽  
Preliminary Evaluation ◽  
Salmonella Spp ◽  
Production Chain ◽  
Safety Assurance ◽  
Egg Products ◽  
High Level

Various safety assurance measures are implemented in Switzerland throughout the food production chain to prevent foods of animal origin from being contaminated with Salmonella. The data that are generated from the implementation of these measures are dispersed and heterogeneous. This hinders a general overview and makes a comprehensive national evaluation of the safety assurance level difficult. A semiquantitative method that considers the quality and relevance of the various safety assurance measures for Salmonella spp. was developed. The method uses the data generated from the implementation of safety assurance measures on a national basis (gathered by interviewing stakeholders in the production step). By assembling and analyzing the data systematically, the safety assurance level for Salmonella spp. can be evaluated at every step of the food production chain. This method allows the detection of strengths and weaknesses of the safety system. The systematic evaluation procedures permit comparisons between production steps and product categories. The method was used for evaluating the safety assurance levels throughout the production chain of eggs and egg products in Switzerland. Results of the analysis showed that the overall safety assurance levels for Salmonella spp. at all production steps for eggs and egg products were good. The relatively straightforward implementation of the method made it particularly appropriate in the context of a preliminary evaluation. The method does not have the same high level of detail that is provided by microbial quantitative risk assessments, but it allows an analyst to provide meaningful results when the large amount of data required for a quantitative approach are not present while including the entire “farm to fork” continuum. It may be used as a basis for more in-depth assessments of food safety levels within various production sectors. The method could be adapted for evaluating the safety assurance for other zoonotic foodborne pathogens of interest, such as Campylobacter spp.

scholarly journals Transforming Food Systems Through Food Sovereignty: An Australian Urban Context

2015 ◽  
Vol 31 (1) ◽  
pp. 34-45 ◽  
Author(s):  
Federico Davila ◽  
Robert Dyball
Keyword(s):  
Transformative Learning ◽  
Food Production ◽  
Food Systems ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Food Sovereignty ◽  
Urban Context ◽  
Human Right ◽  
Alternative Food Systems ◽  
Environmental Support ◽  
Urban Food Production

AbstractThis article draws on La Via Campesina's definition of food sovereignty and its potential for reconceptualising food as a basic human right within the dominant Australian food discourse. We argue that the educative value that emerges from urban food production in Australia stems from the action of growing food and its capacity to transform individuals’ social and environmental concerns over food systems. Community participation in urban food production can promote a learning process that generates political understanding and concerns over food systems. We use the education theories of transformative learning and critical consciousness to discuss how Australian urban food production systems can create this social and environmental support for alternative food systems. By having control over food production practices and building collective understandings of how food choices impact global food systems, elements of food sovereignty can develop in an Australian urban context.

scholarly journals Barriers to Urban Food Production: Perspectives of Urban Food Producers

2019 ◽  
Vol 26 (3) ◽  
pp. 147-161
Author(s):  
Kumudu Kopiyawattage ◽  
Laura Warner ◽  
Grady Roberts
Keyword(s):  
Urban Communities ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Food Production ◽  
Food Systems ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Resource Scarcity ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Extension Educators ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
Urban Food Production

Locally grown food systems in urban areas is globally important for numerous reasons such as food security, nutrition, financial well-being, and solutions to the many complex issues observed in areas with increasing populations. An understanding of the barriers to urban food production is needed because, if not addressed properly, they may lead to severe threats in urban communities such as food insecurity and poverty. The purpose of this qualitative study was to identify the barriers associated with urban food production. Semi-structured interviews were conducted in Columbus, Ohio, U.S.A. to collect data. Rules and regulations from city ordinances were perceived as the greatest barrier to urban food production. Negative perception towards farming, lack of marketing options, and resource scarcity were also identified as strong barriers to urban food production. Revisiting city ordinances, creating more market options for urban food producers, and directing programs, networks, organizations, and responsible people towards urban farming are recommended to eliminate barriers to urban food production. International agricultural and extension educators may consult the barriers identified in this study and use the findings as a starting point from which to support urban food production. Keywords: urban extension; urban food production; food production barriers

scholarly journals Potential Use of Indoor Living Walls in Canadian Dwellings

J ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 116-130
Author(s):  
Daria Smolova ◽  
Avi Friedman
Keyword(s):  
Global Warming ◽  
Food Production ◽  
Air Purification ◽  
Traditional Food ◽  
Production Chain ◽  
Environmental Threats ◽  
Fresh Food ◽  
Living Wall ◽  
Potential Use ◽  
Potential Integration

Current social and environmental challenges have led to the rethinking of residential designs. Global warming, food insecurity, and, as a result, costly fresh produce are some of the causes of the reconsideration. Moreover, with obligatory isolation following the global COVID-19 pandemic, some are realizing the importance of nature and air quality in homes. This paper explores the potential integration of indoor living walls (ILWs) in Canadian homes for agricultural and air purification purposes. By reviewing a number of case studies, this paper investigates how the development of such walls can alter the traditional food production chain, while reducing environmental threats. The findings show that current indoor living wall practices can be transformed into a useful source of fresh food, and, to some degree, alter traditional food supply. They can also help in creating inexpensive methods of air purification.

scholarly journals A global database of diversified farming effects on biodiversity and yield

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah K. Jones ◽  
Andrea C. Sánchez ◽  
Stella D. Juventia ◽  
Natalia Estrada-Carmona
Keyword(s):  
United Nations ◽  
Food Production ◽  
Food Systems ◽  
Biological Diversity ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Convention On Biological Diversity ◽  
Sustainable Food ◽  
Global Database ◽  
Diversified Farming Systems

AbstractWith the Convention on Biological Diversity conference (COP15), United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26), and United Nations Food Systems Summit, 2021 is a pivotal year for transitioning towards sustainable food systems. Diversified farming systems are key to more sustainable food production. Here we present a global dataset documenting outcomes of diversified farming practices for biodiversity and yields compiled following best standards for systematic review of primary studies and specifically designed for use in meta-analysis. The dataset includes 4076 comparisons of biodiversity outcomes and 1214 of yield in diversified farming systems compared to one of two reference systems. It contains evidence from 48 countries of effects on species from 33 taxonomic orders (spanning insects, plants, birds, mammals, eukaryotes, annelids, fungi, and bacteria) of diversified farming systems producing annual or perennial crops across 12 commodity groups. The dataset presented provides a resource for researchers and practitioners to easily access information on where diversified farming systems effectively contribute to biodiversity and food production outcomes.

scholarly journals Promises of meat and milk alternatives: an integrative literature review on emergent research themes

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Annika Lonkila ◽  
Minna Kaljonen
Keyword(s):  
Food Production ◽  
Food Systems ◽  
Food System ◽  
Consumer Preferences ◽  
Technological Development ◽  
Scientific Journal ◽  
Agricultural Practices ◽  
Journal Articles ◽  
Research Themes ◽  
Social Scientific

AbstractIncreasing concerns for climate change call for radical changes in food systems. There is a need to pay more attention to the entangled changes in technological development, food production, as well as consumption and consumer demand. Consumer and market interest in alternative meat and milk products—such as plant based milk, plant protein products and cultured meat and milk—is increasing. At the same time, statistics do not show a decrease in meat consumption. Yet alternatives have been suggested to have great transitional potential, appealing to different consumer segments, diets, and identities. We review 123 social scientific journal articles on cell-based and plant-based meat and milk alternatives to understand how the positioning of alternatives as both same and different in relation to animal-based products influences their role within the protein transition. We position the existing literature into three themes: (1) promissory narratives and tensions on markets, (2) consumer preferences, attitudes, and behavioral change policies, (3) and the politics and ethics of the alternatives. Based on our analysis of the literature, we suggest that more research is needed to understand the broader ethical impacts of the re-imagination of the food system inherent in meat and milk alternatives. There is also a need to direct more attention to the impacts of meat and milk alternatives to the practices of agricultural practices and food production at the farm-level. A closer examination of these research gaps can contribute to a better understanding of the transformative potential of alternatives on a systemic level.

scholarly journals Actions on sustainable food production and consumption for the post-2020 global biodiversity framework

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (12) ◽  
pp. eabc8259
Author(s):  
Izabela Delabre ◽  
Lily O. Rodriguez ◽  
Joanna Miller Smallwood ◽  
Jörn P. W. Scharlemann ◽  
Joseph Alcamo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Food Production ◽  
Food Systems ◽  
Transformative Change ◽  
Political Commitment ◽  
Sustainable Food ◽  
Sustainable Food Production ◽  
The United Kingdom ◽  
Production And Consumption ◽  
Barriers And Opportunities ◽  
Sustainability Standards

Current food production and consumption trends are inconsistent with the Convention on Biological Diversity’s 2050 vision of living in harmony with nature. Here, we examine how, and under what conditions, the post-2020 biodiversity framework can support transformative change in food systems. Our analysis of actions proposed in four science-policy fora reveals that subsidy reform, valuation, food waste reduction, sustainability standards, life cycle assessments, sustainable diets, mainstreaming biodiversity, and strengthening governance can support more sustainable food production and consumption. By considering barriers and opportunities of implementing these actions in Peru and the United Kingdom, we derive potential targets and indicators for the post-2020 biodiversity framework. For targets to support transformation, genuine political commitment, accountability and compliance, and wider enabling conditions and actions by diverse agents are needed to shift food systems onto a sustainable path.

scholarly journals Women's Role in Food Production and Nutrition: Implications for Their Quality of Life

1988 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gerd Holmboe-Ottesen ◽  
Ophelia Mascarenhas ◽  
Margareta Wandel
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Nutritional Status ◽  
Food Chain ◽  
Food Production ◽  
Women's Work ◽  
Energy Expenditures ◽  
Work Allocation ◽  
The Subject ◽  
Women's Role

The authors review the literature on the subject of how women's work along the food chain may affect their nutritional status and other aspects of their lives. They point out the discrimination against women in food and work allocation: women often work harder and have greater energy expenditures than men but get less food. Bennett makes this point in her article too, and McGuire touches on it as well.

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