pmedia

A compiled report of statistics related to the health status of residents of Worcester. Produced by the Worcester Division of Public Health, 2011-2012.

Urban agriculture is now seen by practitioners and planners as a means to improve food system sustainability, address food security issues in low income neighborhoods, and foster community development. We collaborated with NCAT to facilitate the growth of urban agriculture by designing a bioshelter suitable for commercial growers. Bioshelters focus on energy efficiency, renewable resources, and appropriate technologies. They balance high tech energy saving designs with passive low cost systems in order to create an indoor ecosystem rather than a typical greenhouse. This project’s bioshelter was designed with the goal of four season operation in a typical New England environment.

Our study, sponsored by the Worcester Food Policy and Active Living Council (WFPALC), assessed community food security in the City of Worcester. Quantitative data from the city’s food retail outlets, including location, price, and food quality were examined against race, income, and ethnicity census data using a Geographic Information System (GIS). Qualitative data from interviews with local residents were synthesized to gain a nuanced perspective of how the city’s low income residents negotiate the food system. This study demonstrated that food insecurity is more likely to affect ethnic minority and lower income residents.

Our research aims to improve how farmers’ markets within Worcester could address food security and raise awareness. Through surveys and interviews, we gathered an understanding of the situation and recommended organizing Worcester markets in a common direction by implementing socially effective, entrepreneurial methods to address the food security dilemma, by obtaining additional third-party funds.