Cities have always imported food, but Birmingham is an extreme case. Land is reserved for housing, industry and leisure, but not for food growing. This import-dependency is too risky for a world with 7,000 million people, all of whom will be competing for food. We are using a lot of land in other continents to grow our food which may not be available for much longer. Food prices are rising because of population pressure and the stresses of climate instability on harvests.
Modern farming is very energy-intensive and completely dependent on oil. Transport of fresh and perishable foodstuffs, especially by air, is going to be much less viable in future. ‘Food miles’ must be reduced to give a secure food supply for the future.
People in Birmingham should not be seen only as food consumers, but allowed to be growers. Human bodies evolved to be active in procuring food. Passive eating and passive leisure have ruined city dwellers’ health. Many people have spare time and are looking for healthy exercise and affordable fresh food. We may see a reappearance of skills and culture around growing and cooking good food. This can be an intergenerational project, valuing the knowledge of elders. We should prepare for a great reconnection between people and their food, with the city as a ‘farm of the future’.
Written By John Newson, Birmingham Friends of the Earth
