Name: Meghna Mathews
Date: 04/15/2024
Time (EST/EDT): 10:00 am
Location: Hybrid--Appalachian Laboratory, IVN Room 109
Remote Access: email: mees@umd.edu

Committee Chair: Dr. Xin Zhang
Committee Members: Dr. Matthew Houser Dr. Caroline Boules

Title: The Role of Urban Agriculture in Baltimore Food Systems

Abstract: The United States is one of the most agriculturally productive countries; and yet, food insecurity remains a significant issue for many of our communities. Many regions are considered food insecure, where fresh fruits and vegetables are not easily accessible, especially in low-income communities. But to identify these areas in need requires understanding a complex food system, an intertwined network of production, processing, transport, and consumption practices informed by- and affecting trends in governance and socioeconomics. In Baltimore, numerous communities are not receiving adequate access to these products due to their socioeconomic status. Currently, production is outweighing consumption patterns of fresh fruits and vegetables in Maryland, which shows that there is a deficit in the ratio of demand and supply. Such dilemmas of high productivity and persistent food insecurity indicate gaps in the current food system in Maryland. Increasing access to quality foods can not only provide proper nutrition to lower-income communities, but can also increase economic growth, reduce poverty, and improve health, global security, and stability. By assessing urban farms and food insecure communities in Baltimore, this research aims to address this gap by analyzing how reframing and reconsidering food distribution to communities through urban agriculture would be a fruitful strategy to lessen disparities across Healthy Food Priority Areas in Baltimore, Maryland. Insights from this framework can serve as a template for identifying other communities within the United States facing similar food insecurities, guiding future research.