23. Urban farming is a return to America’s past
For some urban farmers, harvests are intended for consumption by the participants contributing to the farms. For others, the practice is a capitalistic enterprise, with products sold for profit at markets and restaurants. Both entities offer measurable benefits to the city in which they farm, and by the end of the 20th century American cities across the country recognized the benefits and altered local zoning codes to allow commercial agriculture. Benefits included better management of stormwater runoff, improved air quality, and natural cooling.
It also provided fresh produce at reduced costs, since the cost of shipping over large distances was eliminated. In the early 21st century, urban farmers began to process some foods, offering them in community markets and local supermarkets, including canned fruits and vegetables as well as frozen, and locally grown herbs and spices. Urban farming grew to include greenhouse farms in formerly empty spaces and reclaimed lots. Most feature organically grown products and offer seasonal jobs to city residents on what was formerly abandoned land. America’s cities once before featured vegetables grown within their limits. Modern urban farms are a return to the past using 21st century technology.