Dallas approves urban agriculture plan

The Dallas City Council has adopted a urban agriculture plan aimed by providing residents with healthy options and food security.

“By 2050, it is projected that 89% of the U.S. population and 68% of the world population will live in urban areas,” Office of Environmental Quality and Sustainability, Director Carlos Evans said. “The CUAP is an important step towards ensuring that all of our communities have access to healthy local food.”

The plan was created Office of Environmental Quality and Sustainability (OEQS) and a project team: Agritecture, TBG Partners, The Edible Group, Fheed, LLC, Karen Karp and Partners, Profound Microfarms.

“Historically, the Dallas area has been home to farms and ranches but despite this rich history today some of our residents struggle with food security and access to healthy options,” Environment and Sustainability Committee Chair and District 9 council member Paula Blackmon said. “I am proud we are taking these problems head-on and look forward to these recommendations providing our residents with the choices they deserve.”

“There is no doubt the effects of climate change will have an impact on our resident’s ability to access affordable and healthy food options,” City Manager T.C. Broadnax said. “By approving this plan, the City of Dallas is showing it has the foresight to plan how to feed its rapidly urbanized population in the face of equally rapid climate change.”In announcing the plan, the city says its five goals are: to remove regulatory barriers to implementation; support access to farmlands; provide access to urban agricultural education and resources; and to facilitate collaboration between urban agriculture stakeholders."

The full plan can be found here.