It Grows On You?

The University of Lancaster have carried out the first UK Nationwide Study of Urban Growing Potential (https://www.theguardian.com/food/2022/jan/24/uk-could-grow-up-fruit-and-vegetables-urban-green-spaces). The study estimates how much of the UK's current consumption of fruit and vegetables (likely to grow with vegetarianism?) could be generated by converting the gardens, parks, playing fields, watersides and other 'overlooked' areas of towns and cities into allotments. Most of the UK's fruit and vegetables are currently imported. This, of course, is costly and has a strong carbon footprint. The study estimates that these urban areas could generate 40% of the currently needed fruit and vegetables. This would be 8 times the UK's current amount. Of course, the species generated would not include exotics and the output would generally be seasonal. Fortunately, the Nationwide Study of Urban Growing Potential is not advocating the ploughing up all the parks and playing fields (they have other benefits to humans) but is talking about the potential of using green areas in towns and cities more efficiently. In area terms, allotments can be as productive as agricultural land. One might, however, ask the question 'why we have to change the use of green urban areas?' The development of hydroponics, means that parts of actual buildings in towns and cities could be used to effectively grow fruit and vegetables.