After decades of food delivered by industrial agriculture based on cheap oil, we are learning the health costs to our own bodies and the biosphere are too great. A revolution in food – where, how, and when it’s grown is now sweeping urban centres. Read this book to see why it matters and how we can do it.

—David Suzuki, Co-Founder, David Suzuki Foundation

Our reliance on industrial agriculture has resulted in a food supply riddled with hidden environmental, economic and health care costs and beset by rising food prices. With only a handful of corporations responsible for the lion’s share of the food on our supermarket shelves, we are incredibly vulnerable to supply chain disruption.

The Urban Food Revolution provides a recipe for community food security based on leading innovations across North America. The author draws on his political and business experience to show that we have all the necessary ingredients to ensure that local, fresh sustainable food is affordable and widely available. He describes how cities are bringing food production home by:

• Growing community through neighborhood gardening, cooking and composting programs
• Rebuilding local food processing, storage and distribution systems
• Investing in farmers markets and community supported agriculture
• Reducing obesity through local fresh food initiatives in schools, colleges and universities
• Ending inner-city food deserts

Producing food locally makes people healthier, alleviates poverty, creates jobs, and makes cities safer and more beautiful. The Urban Food Revolution is an essential resource for anyone who has lost confidence in the global industrial food system and wants practical advice on how to join the local food revolution.

Peter Ladner has served two terms as a Vancouver City Councilor. With more than 35 years of journalistic experience, he is a frequent speaker on community issues and has a special interest in the intersection of food policy and city planning. He is also Vice-Chair of The Natural Step Canada's Board of Directors.