Comments on: Farming in the Big City http://wewantorganicfood.com/2007/07/18/farming-in-the-big-city/ Organic food information and tips and gadgets for healthier living Sun, 15 Apr 2012 14:03:14 +0000 hourly 1 By: Diane Vigil http://wewantorganicfood.com/2007/07/18/farming-in-the-big-city/#comment-92 Diane Vigil Wed, 22 Aug 2007 11:39:48 +0000 http://wewantorganicfood.com/2007/07/19/farming-in-the-big-city/#comment-92 Hard to say, Natalie. It'll be interesting to see how these things turn out. One thing is for sure, though: there's more effort being put into growing (what I hope is) real, healthy food for people. Let us know how the Vancouver model turns out. I'd be interested to know. Hard to say, Natalie. It'll be interesting to see how these things turn out. One thing is for sure, though: there's more effort being put into growing (what I hope is) real, healthy food for people.

Let us know how the Vancouver model turns out. I'd be interested to know.

]]> By: Natalie Anne Lanoville http://wewantorganicfood.com/2007/07/18/farming-in-the-big-city/#comment-91 Natalie Anne Lanoville Wed, 22 Aug 2007 09:06:27 +0000 http://wewantorganicfood.com/2007/07/19/farming-in-the-big-city/#comment-91 Yeah... when I replied to your last comment I was really thinking more of the Vancouver model, which is slightly different. I don't know if it could be profitable in the corporate sense, but with 30 stories of production and all the savings it could break even. In Vancouver, City Hall encourages social and environmental responsibility from commercial developers by offering relaxation of building codes in exchange for things like green space, daycares, social housing and subsidised office space for non-profits. I wonder if that's part of the business model for the Manhattan Plantation? Yeah… when I replied to your last comment I was really thinking more of the Vancouver model, which is slightly different. I don't know if it could be profitable in the corporate sense, but with 30 stories of production and all the savings it could break even. In Vancouver, City Hall encourages social and environmental responsibility from commercial developers by offering relaxation of building codes in exchange for things like green space, daycares, social housing and subsidised office space for non-profits. I wonder if that's part of the business model for the Manhattan Plantation?

]]> By: Diane Vigil http://wewantorganicfood.com/2007/07/18/farming-in-the-big-city/#comment-90 Diane Vigil Tue, 21 Aug 2007 12:31:25 +0000 http://wewantorganicfood.com/2007/07/19/farming-in-the-big-city/#comment-90 Thanks. I'd wondered because the example I found was in Manhattan in New York City; curious to know just how much of <span class="bi">that</span> space might be unused, let alone reasonably affordable enough that the business could be viable. But then, as you say, there likely will be savings in transportation and employees. For all I know, they'll either deliver (across town) or sell right on the premises. On the other hand, it may be less of an issue, as NYC prices (for, one supposes, just about anything) are pretty high anyway and so may be able to bear the extra cost in return for <span class="bi">very</span> fresh produce. The Vancouver model sounds interesting. What a great use of small parcels of land. Thanks. I'd wondered because the example I found was in Manhattan in New York City; curious to know just how much of that space might be unused, let alone reasonably affordable enough that the business could be viable.

But then, as you say, there likely will be savings in transportation and employees. For all I know, they'll either deliver (across town) or sell right on the premises. On the other hand, it may be less of an issue, as NYC prices (for, one supposes, just about anything) are pretty high anyway and so may be able to bear the extra cost in return for very fresh produce.

The Vancouver model sounds interesting. What a great use of small parcels of land.

]]> By: Natalie Anne Lanoville http://wewantorganicfood.com/2007/07/18/farming-in-the-big-city/#comment-89 Natalie Anne Lanoville Tue, 21 Aug 2007 12:19:54 +0000 http://wewantorganicfood.com/2007/07/19/farming-in-the-big-city/#comment-89 Well that's a good question. I noticed that CityFarmBoy (one of the people I wrote about in my blog post) is selling to farmers' markets, so his prices must be pretty competitive. As I wrote, I think the issue is that large-scale growers are realising the economy of scale doesn't necessarily work with farming; small urban farmers can save on things like transportation costs and employees, which would offset some of the other costs. Of course, it's predicated upon the idea of unused urban space that's already been purchased - if you're talking about incorporating land values into the mix then definitely, it's more expensive. But the Cuban, Vancouver and other models are utilising unused urban space in backyards, roundabouts, boulevards, empty lots, etc. Great to get your reply! Well that's a good question. I noticed that CityFarmBoy (one of the people I wrote about in my blog post) is selling to farmers' markets, so his prices must be pretty competitive. As I wrote, I think the issue is that large-scale growers are realising the economy of scale doesn't necessarily work with farming; small urban farmers can save on things like transportation costs and employees, which would offset some of the other costs. Of course, it's predicated upon the idea of unused urban space that's already been purchased – if you're talking about incorporating land values into the mix then definitely, it's more expensive. But the Cuban, Vancouver and other models are utilising unused urban space in backyards, roundabouts, boulevards, empty lots, etc. Great to get your reply!

]]> By: Diane Vigil http://wewantorganicfood.com/2007/07/18/farming-in-the-big-city/#comment-88 Diane Vigil Mon, 20 Aug 2007 22:29:16 +0000 http://wewantorganicfood.com/2007/07/19/farming-in-the-big-city/#comment-88 Good to meet you, and to hear a bit about you. It's interesting to know that "urban farming" is catching on, although it sounds like a pretty expensive endeavor (I'm wondering what the food prices might be like). Still, it's one solution. Good to meet you, and to hear a bit about you.

It's interesting to know that "urban farming" is catching on, although it sounds like a pretty expensive endeavor (I'm wondering what the food prices might be like). Still, it's one solution.

]]> By: Natalie Anne Lanoville http://wewantorganicfood.com/2007/07/18/farming-in-the-big-city/#comment-86 Natalie Anne Lanoville Mon, 20 Aug 2007 13:55:19 +0000 http://wewantorganicfood.com/2007/07/19/farming-in-the-big-city/#comment-86 I just recently did some research on this topic for my own blog, and I was amazed (in a good way) at how much of this type of activity there is going on in the West! With up to 80% of people worldwide living in urban centres by 2050, it won't be enough, but it really is a step in the right direction (a step backwards I guess, but again, in a good way). Thanks for helping to spread the word in your corner of the world! I'm in (and write about) Vancouver, Canada. I just recently did some research on this topic for my own blog, and I was amazed (in a good way) at how much of this type of activity there is going on in the West! With up to 80% of people worldwide living in urban centres by 2050, it won't be enough, but it really is a step in the right direction (a step backwards I guess, but again, in a good way). Thanks for helping to spread the word in your corner of the world! I'm in (and write about) Vancouver, Canada.

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