London politicians may kick open ‘farm gate’ to city-grown fruit, vegetable sales

Anna Hopkins In a move advocates say may boost food sustainability and access to healthy fruits and vegetables, London could soon allow produce grown in the heart of the city to be sold to customers directly where it’s harvested. Politicians on council’s planning committee will on Monday discuss a zoning change that would allow “farm gate sales” in urban areas across London. Right now, direct sales from a house or garage is limited to just two days a year, and converting land to an agricultural zone can cost up to $11,000. “It’s about supporting healthy living and sustainability. I’m all about that,” said planning chair Anna Hopkins, whose west-end ward includes farm and agricultural land. “The more we can do that, the better off we will be as a city.” The previous city council adopted London’s urban agriculture strategy two years ago, though much of the plan was overshadowed by controversial debate about backyard chickens, just one potential element of the vision. Story continues below That strategy mulls everything from planting fruit trees on city boulevards to launching a library of gardening tools to composting at grocery stores and restaurants. Some parts of the urban agriculture strategy have already […]

Click here to view original web page at London politicians may kick open ‘farm gate’ to city-grown fruit, vegetable sales