Chapter 2 Background
In this chapter, we will introduce the concepts of urban food production and the worker cooperative
movement and the relationship between the two and our project and our sponsoring organizations. We
will first look at urban food production and how it can be used to improve urban communities, and then
explore the role that aquaponics can play. Then, we will look at how this is going to be applied in
Worcester with our project sponsors, and explore the possibilities and considerations needed for
designing an urban aquaponic system, from designing a structure that can withstand the harsh winters,
to designing a robust and capable aquaponic growing system.
2.1 Food Security and Urban Food Production
2.1.1 Urban Food Production
Food has historically been grown in rural areas in large fields. In the United States, the majority of food
is grown in the Midwest (Hatfield, 2012). Getting this food to urban areas requires shipping the food
long distances, which is an added cost to the food, and also limits how fresh the food can be. Urban food
production and the concept of regional food hubs has the potential to reduce the waste from all the fuel
used transporting food from far away food production centers to urban areas (POLLAN, 2008).
2.1.1.1 Food Deserts and Food Security
Many low income or low access urban area families are limited in what they can buy to what is within
walking distance. This restriction on food can create food deserts – areas without “ready access to fresh,
healthy, and affordable food” (USDA, n.d.). Instead of fresh food, these areas often have only fast food
restaurants and convenience stores, which can lead to health problems in the area (USDA, n.d.).
A food desert is defined as a tract that is “low-income” – a 20+% poverty rate, or a median family
income 80% or lower than the surrounding area – and “low-access” – at least 500 people and/or 33% of
the population lives more than 1 mile from a supermarket or large grocery store (in urban areas). As of
2010 In Worcester, Mass, there were 13 US Census tracts qualifying as “food deserts” (USDA). Figure 12
shows food deserts designated by the USDA in Worcester. Areas marked in green have limited access
within 1 mile, and areas in orange within ½ mile.
Figure 12. Food Deserts in Worcester (Green limited supermarkets within 1 mile, Orange within ½ mile) (Acquired from United
States Department of Agriculture at http://www.ers.usda.gov/data/fooddesert))