Research & reports
Peer-reviewed research and reports on community urban agriculture, food education, composting, welfare and more.
Theme
Critical findings
26 results(1 / 2)
Transforming Household Food Waste into a Community-Based Composting and Urban Food Production System: Basis for a Sustainable Food-to-Soil-to-Food Innovation Framework
2026Edmond P. Freo · Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research) · Philippines (Quezon City)
This study in Batasan Hills, Quezon City, Philippines, assessed the feasibility of an integrated Food-to-Soil-to-Food innovation model using a quantitative approach with 85 household residents. Respondents showed very high awareness of food waste segregation, composting, and urban gardening, and a general willingness to participate, though with some hesitation regarding consistent daily segregation. While a significant positive relationship between awareness and innovation acceptability was found, critical structural barriers included lack of tools, limited community support, and urban space constraints. The study concludes that transforming urban food waste into a circular production system is highly feasible with institutional and logistical support.
CompostCommunityOrganic cycleFood lossA systematic review of community gardens and their role in urban food security and resilience
2025Huq F.F., Deacon L. · Discover Sustainability (Springer), 6:696 · Global
A systematic review of 37 studies examining how community gardens affect food access, urban resilience, and community well-being, with research interest peaking during the COVID-19 pandemic. It identifies inequitable access and weak policy integration as key barriers and calls for inclusive, interdisciplinary, long-term planning.
CommunityFood lossPolicyHealthEconomicsA food‐energy‐water nexus lens on urban food ecosystem: Benefits, barriers, and solutions
2025Jannat Bahanni, Katia Sakihama Ventura, Emine Fidan, Ashlyn Anderson, Sara Mulville, Jie Zhuang · Urban Agriculture & Regional Food Systems · Global
This study examines the benefits, barriers, and solutions for urban food ecosystem sustainability through a food-energy-water (FEW) nexus lens. A review of recent literature and case studies identified cross-sector barriers, including post-harvest losses, weak cold-chain infrastructure, and fragmented governance. FEW-efficient strategies, such as integrating precision technologies and renewable energy-powered urban agriculture, are proposed to enhance cost-effective production and renewability of urban food ecosystems.
PolicyClimate changeFood lossFood sovereignty & justiceEnhancing Food Loss and Waste Management for ImprovedSustainable Agri-Food System: Empirical Study in the Republicof Armenia
2025Davit Markosyan, Vardan Aleksanyan, Sargis Gevorgyan · AgriScience and Technology · Armenia
This study investigated the relationship between food security and waste management in Armenia's agri-food system, analyzing data from 2005 to 2022. Findings indicate that increased imports, use, and exports of food commodities are linked to higher food loss. Recommendations include improving infrastructure for food imports, enhancing supply chain efficiency, investing in better storage, and applying circular economy principles like community-supported agriculture (CSA) to reduce waste.
Food lossCSA & TeikeiEconomicsOrganic cycleLearning with compost: digging down into food waste, urban soils and community
2024Edwards F., Mercer H. · Local Environment (Taylor & Francis), 29(10) · Global
An ethnographic study of ShareWaste, an online community-composting platform in Sydney and Canberra that connects food-waste donors directly with households hosting compost heaps to divert waste from landfill. Drawing on environmental humanities and discard studies, it explores the relationships among people, soil, compost, and food waste and the community-building these practices foster.
CompostOrganic cycleFood lossCommunityUrban food waste for soil amendment? Analysis and characterisation of waste-based compost for soil fertility management in agroecological horticultural production systems in the city of Rosario, Argentina
2024Terrile R., Martinez N., Brunotto F., Rizzi M., Scarpeci T., Tornaghi C. · Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems · Rosario, Argentina
Analyses and characterises urban waste-based composts used on two city farms in Rosario, evaluating their use for soil fertility management in agroecological horticultural production.
Food lossCompostOrganic cycleCommunity building through collaborative food production and consumption: A case study of Grow Free in South Australia
2024Jungho Suh, A. W. Graham · Community Development · Australia (South Australia)
This study explores the agri-social characteristics of "Grow Free," a grassroots initiative in South Australia that promotes sharing free seeds, seedlings, fruits, and vegetables, which grew to approximately 230 participants by 2022. Based on 50 survey responses and 17 interviews, the research found that diverse non-governmental organizations and residential households participate, with many households also linked to other grassroots initiatives. Grow Free facilitates collaborative food production and consumption at a local scale, fostering community building and resilience through food sharing.
CommunityFood sovereignty & justiceFood lossPotential Policy and Community Implications of Equitable Organic Waste, Compost, and Urban Agricultural Systems in the United States
2023Hall S.M., Tikku V., Heiger-Bernays W.J. · Environmental Health Perspectives, 131(11):115001 · Global
Examines equity and safety in urban organic-waste cycling through a case study of waste-to-compost activities and legislation in four US cities. It warns that contaminants such as pesticides, lead, and PFAS and inconsistent regulation can worsen racial inequities in access to urban farmland and safe compost, and recommends justice-oriented policy with multilingual education and proper waste disposal.
CompostOrganic cyclePolicyFood lossCommunityThe State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World 2023: Urbanization, agrifood systems transformation and healthy diets across the rural-urban continuum
2023· FAO, IFAD, UNICEF, WFP and WHO · Global
The 2023 flagship report jointly produced by FAO, IFAD, UNICEF, WFP and WHO. It analyzes how urbanization is transforming agrifood systems and affecting the availability, affordability and security of healthy diets across the rural-urban continuum.
PolicyHealthCommunityFood lossUrban and Peri-Urban Agriculture Sourcebook – From Production to Food Systems
2022FAO, Rikolto, RUAF · Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), Rikolto & RUAF · Global
A comprehensive guide co-published by FAO, Rikolto and RUAF for local decision-makers, urban planners and practitioners. It frames urban and peri-urban agriculture from production through to urban food systems and policy, promoting reduced food loss via short supply chains, biodiversity protection, social inclusion, and urban-rural linkages.
PolicyCommunityOrganic cycleFood lossEconomicsBiodiversityDesign of a Friendly Solar Food Dryer for Domestic Over-Production
2022Fernandes L., Fernandes J.R., Tavares P.B. · Solar · Portugal
Builds and tests two indirect solar dryer prototypes for fruits and vegetables using low-cost, reused materials (wood, styrofoam, recycled aluminum cans). Reports drying kinetics comparable to a commercial electric dryer, cutting waste from domestic over-production.
DIYFood lossEconomicsGrocery Waste Compost as an Alternative Hydroponic Growing Medium
2022· Agronomy · Global
Investigates replacing conventional hydroponic media such as cocodust with compost from locally sourced grocery waste, testing four mixtures (20–80% waste compost) on hydroponic lettuce over 35 days.
DIYFood lossCompostScaling-up urban agriculture for a healthy, sustainable and resilient food system: the postharvest benefits, challenges and key research gaps
2022Sofia Kourmpetli, Natalia Falagán, Charlotte A. Hardman, Lingxuan Liu, Bethan R. Mead, Lael Walsh, Jessica Davies · International Journal of Postharvest Technology and Innovation · Global
This perspective paper presents 'rurbanisation' as a strategy for a resilient food system, focusing on postharvest benefits of urban agriculture for sustainable supply chains, enhanced nutrition, and access to fresh food. It identifies challenges for upscaling urban agricultural systems, including the need for improved technologies, local infrastructure, and knowledge transfer to new farmers. The paper also highlights research gaps in postharvest quality and safety.
Food sovereignty & justiceHealthClimate changeFood lossClosed-Loop Biodigesters on Small-Scale Farms in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: A Review
2021Kulkarni I., Zang J., Leandro W., Parikh P., Adler I., Da Fonseca-Zang W., Campos L. · Water · Low- and middle-income countries (review)
A review of closed-loop biodigesters on small-scale farms in low- and middle-income countries, converting organic waste into energy and nutrient-rich digestate fertilizer integrated with food production.
Organic cycleFood lossEconomicsManaging a Circular Food System in Sustainable Urban Farming. Experimental Research at the Turku University Campus (Finland)
2021Leena Erälinna, Barbara Szymoniuk · Sustainability · Finland
This article presents an experimental project in Turku, Finland, aimed at implementing a circular food system in sustainable urban farming. The project had two objectives: reducing food waste in Turku University Campus restaurants and supporting local nutrient recycling by composting food waste for urban farming. The resulting concept, based on two experimental studies, is globally replicable for managing local circular food systems.
Organic cycleCompostFood lossClimate changeUrban Organic Waste for Urban Farming: Growing Lettuce Using Vermicompost and Thermophilic Compost
2021Corinna Schröder, Franziska Häfner, Oliver Christopher Larsen, Ariane Krause · Agronomy · Global
This pot trial with lettuce plants assessed the fertilizer value of composts derived from urban organic waste. Seven treatments, including food waste vermicompost and thermophilic compost from green waste and human feces, were investigated. Lettuce yield and total uptake of P, K, Ca, and Mg were highest with coir-based vermicompost, while fecal compost resulted in high shoot P and K but lower Ca and Mg uptake. All composts required additional nitrogen for lettuce growth, indicating a need for further research on macronutrient availability and alternative N sources.
CompostOrganic cycleFood lossLocal food loop in the capital city / by Jennifer Jevons, Kate Walmsley and Rory Lenihan-Ikin
2021Jennifer Jevons · · New Zealand (Wellington)
The work of Kaicycle, an urban farming initiative located on Wellington City Council land in New Zealand, was spotlighted. This initiative aims to help the community by improving awareness of soil health, advocating for food waste minimization, growing produce, and practicing regenerative composting. Kaicycle recycles food scraps from the community, composts using anaerobic microbes, and produces vegetable boxes for sale.
CommunityCompostFood lossOrganic cycleCommunity-scale composting for food waste: A life-cycle assessment-supported case study
2020· Journal of Cleaner Production · Malaysia
Uses a university case study and life-cycle assessment to demonstrate community-scale food waste composting; with leaves as bulking agent it took 7 months, yielding 30% compost meeting organic fertiliser standards.
DIYCommunityFood lossUtilizing Anaerobic Digestates as Nutrient Solutions in Hydroponic Production Systems
2020Bergstrand K., Asp H., Hultberg M. · Sustainability · Sweden
Evaluates using nutrient-rich anaerobic digestate from urban food waste as a hydroponic nutrient solution, supporting a closed-loop approach to urban and peri-urban food production.
Food lossOrganic cycleFertile cities: Nutrient management practices in urban agriculture
2019Wielemaker R., Oenema O., Zeeman G., Weijma J. · Science of the Total Environment, 668:1277-1288 · Global
Drawing on a survey of urban agriculture practitioners in industrialised countries, this study characterises how city-derived resources such as compost, food waste and urine are used as fertiliser and how nutrients are managed. It maps the practices and challenges of cycling urban organic waste back to farmland, systematising on-the-ground approaches that link food-waste composting to urban agriculture.
CompostOrganic cycleFood lossCommunityUrban Farming Using Upcycling Technique of Brassica rapa L. Cv (Pechay Tagalog) in Ermita, Manila, Philippines
2019Alma E. Nacua · Modern Concepts & Developments in Agronomy · Philippines (Manila)
This paper aimed to observe Pechay stem growth in loam soil planted in recycled fruit Styrofoam boxes and to upcycle Pechay stems in Ermita, Manila, Philippines, also observing signs of infection. An experimental design method was used, with Pechay seeds grown in the same container type with loam soil as a control. Out of 180 Pechay stems planted, 128 survived, showing a 71% survival growth rate. Pechay grown from seeds had a 98% survival rate.
DIYFood lossOrganic cycleConsiderations for reducing food system energy demand while scaling up urban agriculture
2017Eugene Mohareb, Martin Heller, Paige J. Novak, Benjamin Goldstein, Xavier Fonoll, Lutgarde Raskin · Environmental Research Letters · Global
This literature review provided new insight into the energy implications of scaling up urban agriculture (UA) in cities in high-income countries. It noted that limited data quantify resource demand directly associated with UA systems, indicating the literature is not yet robust enough to make universal claims on benefits. Analyzing existing literature data and cases, the review proposed that energy efficiency gains could be realized by co-locating UA operations with waste streams (e.g., heat, CO2, greywater, wastewater, compost).
Climate changeEconomicsUrban–rural linkageFood lossAn Automatic Scheduling System for Perishable Product’s Supply Chain
2016Isbat Uzzin Nadhori, Ahmad Ahsan · JAICT · Global
This paper proposes an information technology system to manage the supply chain of perishable products in urban farming. The system aims to increase the availability of fruits and vegetables for urban residents by shortening the distance between farmers and consumers. It enables all supply chain members, including producers, distribution centers, administrators, retailers, and consumers, to access and manage relevant information, thereby facilitating easier and faster planning of planting schedules, product selection, harvest schedules, and request fulfillment.
Digital agricultureFood lossUrban–rural linkageUrban food systems
2015J.S.C. Wiskerke · · Global
This chapter focuses on urban food supplies and the challenges of managing waste flows from urban households and markets in developing countries. Large amounts of municipal solid waste, human excreta, and wastewater are produced, most of which end up in non-engineered landfills or pollute the urban environment. It is noted that these wastes pollute the urban environment, especially in low-income countries with less developed sanitation infrastructure.
Environmental trade-offsOrganic cycleCompostFood lossHealthInsects as a sustainable alternative to feed animals in the city
2014Jan Jansen · · Global
This research explored how insects can add value to urban farming by up-cycling waste streams into high-grade nutrients and compost, focusing on their use as animal feed. Through expert interviews with urban farming practitioners and pet owners (165 respondents, 59 in urban environments), a concept was developed for growing black soldier fly larvae on organic waste to replace meat in carnivorous animal diets, specifically for dogs. Over half of urban respondents indicated no municipal green waste pickup, and over 50% practiced urban farming.
Organic cycleClimate changeFood loss