Research & reports
Peer-reviewed research and reports on community urban agriculture, food education, composting, welfare and more.
Theme
Critical findings
2056 results(12 / 83)
A comprehensive review on microgreens: Nutritional value, cultivation, health benefits, and future perspectives
2025Aditi Sagar, Deepak Lall, Unnati Singh · International Journal of Advanced Biochemistry Research · Global
This review explores the nutritional profile, cultivation techniques, health benefits, applications, challenges, and future directions of microgreens. It discusses their role in sustainable agriculture, urban farming, and the food industry, highlighting their potential in promoting human health due to compounds like antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, and phenolic substances. The paper also provides an overview of their nutritional properties, a comparison with sprouts, potential bioactive compounds, and aspects related to cultivation, harvesting, marketing, and prospects.
HealthUrban–rural linkageFood educationClimate changeContamination level and dietary risk assessment of trace elements in Brassica pekinensis Lour. from gardening areas under tropical conditions
2025Anaïs M. Kipelo, M. Jothilakshmi, Dhafer Mohammed M. Al Salah, Georgette N. Ngweme, Emmanuel K. Atibu, Crispin K. Mulaji, Periyasamy Sivalingam, John Poté · Toxicology Reports · Democratic Republic of the Congo (Kinshasa)
This study examined trace element levels in Brassica pekinensis Lour. from urban gardening sites (Cecomaf and Lutendele) in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo, and associated human health risks. Analysis showed that Cr, Cu, Cd, Pb, and Hg concentrations in samples from both sites exceeded FAO/WHO maximum permissible limits. Health risk assessments indicated that Estimated Daily Intake (EDI) values for Cd and Pb exceeded recommended limits, and Target Hazard Quotient (THQ) values exceeded 1 for most metals, suggesting potential non-carcinogenic risks.
Contamination & food safetyHealthUrban Rooftop Farming: Cultivating Change in India
2025Rupanagudi Unesha Fareq · AGRIBIO INNOVATIONS · India
This paper discusses urban rooftop farming in India as an effective solution to declining agricultural land and rising food demand due to rapid population growth and urbanization. Rooftop farming, a type of urban agriculture utilizing unused spaces, can improve environmental stress, increase urban resilience, and produce nutritious food. The COVID-19 pandemic further highlighted its importance for sustainable urban food systems and local food production.
Food sovereignty & justiceClimate changeHealthHUERTOS ESCOLARES: APRENDIZAJES, VÍNCULOS Y SIGNIFICADOS
2025Nancy Domínguez González, Fernando Naranjo Chacón, A Solé, Miguel Ángel Escalona Aguilar, A. Medina · Tropical and Subtropical Agroecosystems · Mexico (Xalapa)
A descriptive study was conducted at Federal Secondary School No. 4 David Alfaro Siqueiros in Xalapa, Mexico, to evaluate the impact of a school garden on student learning, bonds, and intrinsic purposes. A qualitative Likert scale survey was applied to 80 actively participating students before and after the garden's implementation and related workshops. The intervention process failed to generate statistically significant changes in students' learning about school garden aspects (plant growth, planting, care, harvesting, processing), in the bonds developed through teamwork, or in the meaning they attributed to working in the school garden.
Food educationHealthCommunityHorticultural Therapy: A Sustainable and Inclusive Approach to Supporting Older People in Brazil
2025Jacqueline de Almeida Barbosa Franco, Quintino Augusto Có de Seabra, Bruno Humberto da Silva, Adriano Alves Teixeira, Rosane Aparecida Gomes Battistelle, Bárbara Stolte Bezerra · Anthropology & Aging · Brazil (São Paulo)
This report examines an inclusive community vegetable garden project at Vila Vicentina, a long-term care facility in Bauru, São Paulo, Brazil, initiated through participatory action research. The project created a space for older adults to engage in leisure and horticultural activities. Findings suggest the initiative contributed to improvements in physical engagement, social interaction, and overall well-being among older adults.
CommunityHealthElderlyFood educationPsychological and Environmental Impacts of Climate Change in Villages around the Mutanda Mining Site (Lualaba Province, Democratic Republic of Congo)
2025Yvon Mwengwe Muhongo, Eric Nice Nshembe Chishungu · Journal of Advanced Psychology · Democratic Republic of Congo
This study investigated the psychological and environmental impacts of climate change and mining degradation in villages surrounding the Mutanda Mining site in Lualaba province, Democratic Republic of Congo, using a mixed-methods approach. Findings reveal that proximity to the mining site is a major determinant of ecological deterioration and psychological distress. Villages within 5 km of the site showed higher environmental degradation, stronger perceptions of climate change, and significantly elevated eco-anxiety and ecological stress levels. Community resilience mechanisms such as social support, community gardens, and local ecological restoration initiatives partially mitigate psychological impacts.
Environmental trade-offsCommunityHealthClimate changeCommunity Gardens in the Gold Coast, Australia - Lessons for Urban Sustainability in Korea -
2025Hue Younsun · Journal of the Korean Institute of Landscape Architecture · Australia (Gold Coast)
A study analyzed six community gardens in the Gold Coast, Australia, using literature review, field observations, and interviews with managers and participants. It found that these gardens function as multifunctional platforms integrating environmental, social, and economic values, rather than solely urban agriculture sites. The findings suggest the need for integrated operational strategies for Korean community gardens.
CommunityBiodiversityEconomicsHealthPolicyBehavioral Sciences in the Study of Community Supported Agriculture (CSA)
2025Virgínia Gomes de Caldas Nogueira, Laércia Abreu Vasconcelos · Revista de Gestão e Secretariado (Management and Administrative Professional Review) · Global
This systematic literature review aimed to identify studies on Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) members' pro-environmental, prosocial, or health-related behaviors, particularly those using a psychological approach or from other behavioral science fields. The review found that psychology studies on CSA members' behavior patterns are rare, despite the multidisciplinary scientific community's interest in these behaviors for food and planetary preservation.
CSA & TeikeiCommunityFood sovereignty & justiceEconomicsHealthThe New American Farmer – Extension Engagement with Urban Agriculture and Food Systems
2025Margaux Robinson, Karen Cunningham, Jeffery Young, Nicole Breazeale, Kenneth R. Jones · Journal of Extension · United States
This paper discusses the evolving role of Extension in urban food production, noting progress made by educators in engaging with both social and horticultural aspects of urban agriculture. It suggests that appropriately designed urban food systems can offer healthy food access, community and environmental resilience, and economic prosperity. The authors provide recommendations for Extension staff, urging them to prioritize mediating the rural/urban dichotomy, tackling structural power dynamics, and intensifying community resilience strategies.
CommunityUrban–rural linkagePolicyEconomicsFood sovereignty & justiceHealthOutcomes and impacts of community food hubs: a rapid review
2025Kate Wingrove, Penelope Love, Kristy A. Bolton, Patrícia Batista Melo, Erica Reeve, Colin Bell, Gavin L. Sacks, Steven Allender, Vivien Yii, A. Parsot, Dheepa Jeyapalan, Rebecca Lindberg · Proceedings of The Nutrition Society · Global
This rapid review aimed to identify short- and medium-term outcomes and long-term impacts associated with community food hubs in Australia and other high-income countries. In January 2024, relevant studies and reports published in English between 2013 and 2023 were searched across four databases and grey literature, including 16 studies/reports on 24 community food hubs (USA n=16; Australia n=7; Canada n=1). Of the 83 short- and medium-term outcomes assessed, 86% were positive, but no long-term impacts were evaluated.
CommunityEconomicsFood sovereignty & justiceHealthImportance of Small-Scale Food Crop Models in Urban and Peri-Urban Contexts
2025Hernán José Hernández Durán · Asian Journal of Science Technology Engineering and Art · Global
This study points out that small-scale food production within urban and peri-urban environments can decrease dependence on external food sources, support environmental sustainability, bolster local economies, and improve urban residents’ quality of life. However, the implementation of urban agriculture faces considerable challenges, including limited access to cultivable land, inadequate infrastructure, and regulatory constraints. Focusing on San Miguel, El Salvador, this article explores the role and impact of urban agriculture in addressing food insecurity and provides strategic recommendations to enhance urban resilience and sustainability.
Food sovereignty & justiceClimate changeEconomicsHealthCommunityPeri-urban agricultureThe Impact of Lifestyle on Individual’s Perception of Urban Agriculture
2025Simona Gavrilaş, Oana Brînzan, Radu Lucian Blaga, Maria Sinaci, Eugenia Țigan, Nicoleta Mateoc-Sîrb · Agriculture · Europe
This study investigated the correlations between perceived benefits of urban agriculture (socialization, recreation, and food waste avoidance) and education levels and financial situations among 648 inhabitants of western Romanian towns, using data collected via an online questionnaire. Analysis showed that a high level of education leads to increased belief in urban farming's contributions to improving residents' socialization and recreation. Income level also significantly shaped opinions regarding urban agriculture's contribution to increased recycling.
HealthEconomicsFood lossCommunityCultivating connection between community, agriculture, food, and green space: A narrative review of agrihoods and their impact on health and wellbeing
2025Emma Lewis, M. Renée Umstattd Meyer, Kathryn M. Janda, Jay E. Maddock, Marco A. Palma, Andrew McNeely, Yetunde Olawuyi, Rebecca A. Seguin‐Fowler · Public Health in Practice · United States
This narrative review synthesized 29 sources of published and grey literature on agrihoods, published until November 2024, to explore their opportunities and challenges for improving health in the United States and globally. The study identified four key themes: opportunities for improved health and wellbeing, challenges to promoting equal and equitable health, community engagement for health-related needs, and recommendations for future development. The review contributes to the scientific knowledge base on agrihood initiatives.
CommunityHealthUrban–rural linkageEcosystem services of urban food forests and their contributions to health and sustainability of North American cities: a narrative review
2025Sara-Charlotte Cayen, Kesnamelie-Ann Outha, Pierre Paul Audate · International Journal of Environmental Health Research · North America
This narrative review synthesized the ecosystem services of urban food forests and their contributions to urban health and food sustainability in North American cities. Based on 13 studies published between 2018 and 2023, it identified that food forests provide services such as sustainable food production and climate regulation. However, their implementation faces challenges including public space governance, maintenance costs, regulatory barriers, and ecological risks like invasive species.
Governance failureBiodiversityClimate changeHealthCommunityBuilding a more sustainable food system in Colombia: a role for nutrition professionals
2025Christine McCullum-Gómez, Yuri Milena Castillo Quiroga, Monica Diaz-Beltran · Academia Nutrition and Dietetics · Colombia
This article describes multiple efforts to facilitate the transition to a more sustainable food system in Colombia. Public health nutrition professionals can increase food security, build food sovereignty, and facilitate this transition through community food gardening and peri-urban and urban agriculture projects, food waste reduction programs, and sustainable menu projects incorporating indigenous, native, and local foods. Such projects should be participatory and tailored to meet the needs of stakeholders in the different regions of Colombia.
Food sovereignty & justiceCommunityPeri-urban agricultureHealthBenefits of Nutrition Education in Local Community Supported Agriculture Sites: A Case Study
2025Bree Bode, Sarah L. Mott, Jacob M. Cutler, Nicole Jess, Sarah Panken, Marci Scott · International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health · United States (Michigan)
Nutrition education was provided to SNAP-eligible shoppers at Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) sites in Michigan. This multi-phase, mixed-methods study evaluated the delivery of nutrition education, shopper needs, and behavioral outcomes through outcome surveys, staff feedback, educator activity logs, and focus groups with shoppers and educators. Results indicated significantly higher fruit and vegetable consumption among shoppers compared to national SNAP incentive participants, and qualitative themes included relating over transacting and personalized experiential education.
CSA & TeikeiFood educationWelfareHealthEnhancing Public Health and SDG 3 Through Sustainable Agriculture and Tourism
2025Elena Petelos, Danai Antonaki, Erasmia Angelaki, Christos Lemonakis, Alexandros Garefalakis · Sustainability · Global
This study explored how private sector initiatives in tourism can contribute to public health and SDG 3 through sustainable agricultural practices. Using a mixed-methods approach combining a systematic literature review and a case study, it examined how integrated strategies like pesticide-free farming reduce environmental health risks and improve nutritional quality. Findings indicate that business-led sustainability models can support systemic change when based on clear metrics and cross-sector collaboration. However, the absence of pre-2019 baseline data and direct health outcome measurements limits causal inference.
HealthBiodiversityPollinatorsCommunityPolicyPractising sustainable food consumption through the lived experiences of Guangzhou's foodscape
2025Alex Hughes, Shuru Zhong, Mike Crang, Guojun Zeng, Fernando Fastoso, Héctor González‐Jiménez, Bob Doherty · · China (Guangzhou)
This chapter demonstrates how residents in Guangzhou practice sustainable food consumption. Consumption in Guangzhou occurs through a foodscape where modern digitized supermarkets and food delivery services operate alongside traditional wet markets, emerging alternative markets, and a growing restaurant sector. Ordinary food consumption with sustainability implications takes place through interconnected fields including the pursuit of food freshness, valuing cultural heritage, memory and place, health considerations, emerging connections with Alternative Food Networks, food fashions and digital influence, and urban food production.
Food sovereignty & justiceEconomicsHealthCommunityUrban food forests: Seeing the fruit for the trees - A systematic quantitative literature review and emerging research gaps
2025H.J. Thwaites, Jungho Suh, G.M. Coote, Melissa Nursey‐Bray, Timothy R. Cavagnaro, M.J. Salomon · Journal of Cleaner Production · Global
This systematic quantitative literature review explores urban food forests, defined as woody food-producing species in urban landscapes, identifying their realized and potential impacts across ecosystem services, food security, health, society, and culture. The research found that urban food forests are highly valued for providing local foods and medicine, as well as regulating services, and contribute to biodiversity, economic and social inclusivity, and human well-being. The review highlights urban planning and design as a central research theme and identifies a need for more quantitative research and integration into local legislation.
BiodiversityClimate changeFood sovereignty & justiceHealthRedefining the nutrition paradigm for a sustainable future: the meating point for a harmonious coexistence
2025Daniel Borer, Daniel Fuller, Manjit Singh Sandhu, Duy‐Tung Bui · Social Responsibility Journal · Global
This conceptual paper introduces the Pancentric Nutrition Paradigm, an interdisciplinary framework integrating human nutrition, environmental sustainability, animal welfare, and societal considerations for global food systems. It identifies four strategies for sustainable food systems: implementing urban agriculture and agro-zoos, introducing a meat carbon tax (€0.10 per kg CO2e), promoting ostrich farming, and developing policy pathways. The study suggests the pancentric approach can harmonize competing interests in food systems.
HealthClimate changeFood sovereignty & justiceUrban–rural linkagePrevalence of Antibiotic Resistance Bacteria in Manure, Soil, and Vegetables in Urban Blantyre, Malawi, from a Farm-to-Fork Perspective
2025Amon Abraham, Andrew G. Mtewa, Chimwemwe Chiutula, Richard Lizwe Steven Mvula, Alfred Maluwa, Fasil Ejigu Eregno, John Njalam’mano · International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health · Malawi (Blantyre)
This cross-sectional study in Blantyre, Malawi, characterized antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARB) prevalence in 35 samples from five livestock farms, including manure, soil, and vegetables. It found high contamination, with Escherichia coli dominating pig manure (52%) and farm soil (35%), and Klebsiella pneumoniae contaminating all sample types (up to 67% in home soils, 60% in vegetables). All manure isolates showed sulfamethoxazole–trimethoprim resistance, and vegetables exhibited severe multidrug resistance, including 100% E. coli resistance to gentamicin. Composting for ≤6 weeks did not eliminate ARBs, indicating manure-amended farms are AMR reservoirs.
Contamination & food safetyHealthOrganic cycleSustainable cities: enhancing food systems with urban agriculture
2025Zafar Tabrez · Discover Food · Global
Urban agriculture contributes to urban sustainability by supporting food production, income generation, waste recycling, preventing urban sprawl, preserving biodiversity, and enhancing resilience and local economies. Achieving sustainable implementation requires integrating urban farming into urban planning processes and developing specific policies. Incorporating urban gardening into urban planning and strengthening it with policies enhances its sustainability, improves food security, raises awareness, reduces poverty, and improves food systems. Additionally, urban gardens mitigate urban heat islands, waste, and air pollution, improve health, and foster social connections, with organic agriculture boosting biodiversity and urban food production reducing CO2 emissions.
CommunityPolicyHealthClimate changeHeavy metal contamination and remediation strategies in peri-urban agricultural soils
2025Laxman Barua, YOGITA ADHIKARI, Kuldeep Naik · International Journal of Agriculture and Nutrition · India (Prayagraj)
This research assessed heavy metal concentrations in agricultural soils near the Naini industrial area in Prayagraj, India, and evaluated remediation strategies. Lead and cadmium concentrations at 0.5 km from the industrial zone exceeded Indian permissible limits (Pb: 67.8 mg/kg vs 50 mg/kg; Cd: 6.4 mg/kg vs 5 mg/kg). A pot trial showed that Brassica juncea removed 34.7% of Pb and 41.2% of Cd, while lime + biochar reduced Pb by 52.4%. A combined approach reduced bioavailable Pb to below the permissible limit.
Contamination & food safetyPeri-urban agricultureHealthOrganic cyclePortable X-ray fluorescence as a tool for urban soil contamination analysis: accuracy, precision, and practicality
2025E.N. Jenkins, John M. Galbraith, Anna Paltseva · SOIL · Global
This study conducted a literature review of 84 publications to evaluate the accuracy, precision, and practicality of Portable X-ray fluorescence (PXRF) as a tool for analyzing heavy metal contamination in urban soils. Urban soils often face contamination with heavy metals like lead and arsenic, and PXRF was shown to achieve reliable accuracy when properly calibrated. PXRF emerges as a viable method for assessing urban soil contamination.
Contamination & food safetyHealthUrban–rural linkageUrban Agriculture as a Catalyst for Food Security and Sustainability in Ghana's Rapidly Urbanizing Cities
2025Christian Kofi Sarpong, Romanus Dogkubong Dinye, Alex Donbeinaa, Vera Nyarko Amoako · Asian Journal of Agricultural and Horticultural Research · Ghana
This study assessed the role of urban agriculture in Ghanaian cities through a systematic literature review of publications from 2000 to 2024. Urban agriculture was found to significantly contribute to food security, nutrition, and income, and to bolster environmental sustainability. However, challenges such as land tenure insecurity, unsafe irrigation practices, weak institutional support, and limited policy integration persist.
Governance failureFood sovereignty & justiceClimate changeEconomicsHealthOrganic cyclePolicyCommunity