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Urban Farming As a Supplemental Food Source Bessie Didomenica Walden University Walden University ScholarWorks Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies Collection 2015 Food Policy: Urban Farming as a Supplemental Food Source Bessie DiDomenica Walden University Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations Part of the Public Health Education and Promotion Commons, Public Policy Commons, and the Urban Studies and Planning Commons This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies Collection at ScholarWorks. It has been accepted for inclusion in Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies by an authorized administrator of ScholarWorks. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Walden University College of Social and Behavioral Sciences This is to certify that the doctoral dissertation by Bessie DiDomenica has been found to be complete and satisfactory in all respects, and that any and all revisions required by the review committee have been made. Review Committee Dr. Mark Gordon, Committee Chairperson, Public Policy and Administration Faculty Dr. Anthony Leisner, Committee Member, Public Policy and Administration Faculty Dr. Linda Day, University Reviewer, Public Policy and Administration Faculty Chief Academic Officer Eric Riedel, Ph.D. Walden University 2015 Abstract Food Policy: Urban Farming as a Supplemental Food Source by Bessie DiDomenica Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Public Policy and Administration Walden University May 2015 Abstract The distance between farms and cities and the limited access that some residents have to fresh foods can be detrimental to a city’s capacity to feed people over time. This study addressed the under-studied topic of urban farming as a secondary food source, specifically by exploring the opportunities and limitations of urban farming in a large Northeastern city. Brundtland’s food policy was the pivotal theory supporting food production to end global starvation, and was the link between environmental conservation and human survival. The research question for this study examined the potential food policy opportunities and limitations that assist urban farms as a supplemental food source. Twenty stakeholders from the public (6), nonprofit (7), private (3), and academic (4) sectors formed the purposeful snowball sample in this case study. Data were collected through open-ended interviews, which were then subjected to an iterative and inductive coding strategy. The significant finding of this study is that while food policy supported urban farms as a secondary food source in a way consistent with Brundtland’s theory, local food alone was inadequate to feed its urban population. Other key findings revealed that food policies that influenced land use, food production, and procurement presented unique challenges in each sector. Existing food production policies such as zoning regulations, permitting processes, and public funding benefited one sector over another. The study contributes to social change by exploring food policies that encourage partnerships between sector stakeholders; urban, rural, and suburban farmers; and city residents that foster alternative and sustainable food production in the urban setting. Food Policy: Urban Farming as a Supplemental Food Source by Bessie DiDomenica Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Public Policy and Administration Walden University May 2015 UMI Number: 3702741 All rights reserved INFORMATION TO ALL USERS The quality of this reproduction is dependent upon the quality of the copy submitted. In the unlikely event that the author did not send a complete manuscript and there are missing pages, these will be noted. Also, if material had to be removed, a note will indicate the deletion. UMI 3702741 Published by ProQuest LLC (2015). Copyright in the Dissertation held by the Author. Microform Edition © ProQuest LLC. All rights reserved. This work is protected against unauthorized copying under Title 17, United States Code ProQuest LLC. 789 East Eisenhower Parkway P.O. Box 1346 Ann Arbor, MI 48106 - 1346 Dedication I began my first week at Walden with mixed feelings: happy to start a new adventure, and sad about the loss of my mother. She would have wanted me to follow my dreams, and I dedicate my dissertation to her. My mother was the first adult learner I ever met and my role model. I also want to dedicate this to my father, a hard worker who taught me the same values. This dedication is for my family: Claude, my spouse, who was my biggest supporter, and believed that my dream would come true; my cats Mr. Bean and Oscar, who sat by my side throughout the long periods of writing, thinking, and understanding. They taught me patience, kindness, and unconditional love, while my birds filled the house with their music and conversation. I also dedicate this to my support group of Dr. Patti, Dr. BessieM, Dr. Emma, Byron, and Judy. We shared our fears, hopes, failures, and celebrated every success and milestone along the way. You will forever be part of my life, and thank you for taking this journey with me. In addition, I dedicate this to Mother Nature who sustains life, and the animals that bring us joy and comfort. Finally, I dedicate this to the young girls and women who are limited by society, culture, and tradition, and left without an opportunity for an education. Acknowledgments I am extremely thankful to my dissertation committee: my chair, Dr. Mark Gordon, who stepped in when I lost my first chair, and to my content expert, Dr. Anthony Leisner. Drs. Gordon and Leisner gave me their unwavering support and guidance. My URR team, Dr. Linda Day and Dr. Tanya Settles, helped me craft an outstanding work product. Our collective teamwork kept things moving to successfully complete my dissertation. I am also grateful to Dr. Richard Larkin, the librarians, academic advisers, writers, editors, and other outstanding individuals at Walden University for their advice, guidance, and support. Finally, I want to thank Dr. Elizabeth Wilson, my mentor and friend who reminded me to hold fast to my dream. Table of Contents List of Tables .......................................................................................................................v Chapter 1: Introduction to the Study....................................................................................1 Introduction....................................................................................................................1 Background....................................................................................................................4 Problem Statement.........................................................................................................6 Purpose of the Study ......................................................................................................8 Research Question .........................................................................................................9 Theoretical Framework..................................................................................................9 Food Policy Theory................................................................................................. 9 Conceptual Framework................................................................................................10 Urban Agriculture ................................................................................................. 10 Nature of the Study ......................................................................................................12 Definitions....................................................................................................................13 Assumptions.................................................................................................................16 Scope and Delimitations ..............................................................................................18 Limitations ...................................................................................................................20 Significance of the Study.............................................................................................21 Summary......................................................................................................................22 Chapter 2: Literature Review.............................................................................................24 Introduction..................................................................................................................24 Literature Search Strategy............................................................................................26 i Theoretical Objectives and Assumptions.....................................................................28 Urban Agriculture Literature ................................................................................ 37 Rationale for Food Policy Theory......................................................................... 48 Conceptual Framework................................................................................................50 Urban Agriculture Policy.............................................................................................54 Macro Food Policy and Technology-Based Agriculture ...................................... 57 Food
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