Integrating urban agriculture into the framework of municipal planning has been gaining momentum over the past several decades, as increasing access to and the cultivation of green spaces have been found to positively affect public health, food security, racial equity, and climate change resiliency. This is true of Springfield, Massachusetts, which is the third largest city in the state and a regional center. Residents and nonprofits have been actively working with the City to strengthen the local food system and this report, prepared for the Springfield Food Policy Council, builds on these precedents. Looking at vacant lots within Springfield as sites of possibility, the report assesses their suitability for food production in the form of community gardens, community farms, and urban orchards, as well as food access in the form of farmers markets and farm stands. Alongside recommending lots, this report gathers opportunities and recommendations on a municipal level with the goal of supporting the growth of urban agriculture within Springfield.
GROUNDWORK Assessing Land for Community Use
A Food Access Project for the Springfield Food Policy Council
Aspen Anderson / Kerry Morgan / Daniella Portal The Conway School Winter 2024