This project explores the history of urban food production in Boston, with an emphasis on "food apartheid," or racial disparities in food access. Starting with Boston's history as a market for agricultural products and continuing until the proliferation of small-scale community gardens and greenhouses today, this project will examine how the distribution and production focuses of urban agriculture have changed over time and in response to policies, demographic shifts, and economic demands. By assembling a comprehensive history of food production in Boston, this project will inform scholars, policymakers, and the general public about the historical context behind food issues in the city, as well as providing guidance on how to reduce inequities and issues in food access.
Researcher: Robert Greene