Public Produce

This is an updated look at the advantages and possibilities of urban agriculture in public spaces. Why plant trees that only provide shade when they could yield fruit as well? Why not take advantage of sunny patches at the outskirts of car parks to grow carrots and strawberries, free for the harvesting? The idea that public land could be used creatively to grow fresh food for local people was beginning to gain traction when Public Produce was first published in 2009, but there were few concrete examples of action. Today, things are different: fruits and vegetables are thriving in parks, along our streets, and around our civic buildings. This revised edition profiles numerous communities and community officials that are rethinking the role of public space in cities, and how our most revered urban gathering spots might nourish both body and soul. Taking readers from inspiration to implementation, Public Produce is chock full of tantalising images and hearty lessons for bringing agriculture back into our cities.