Proposed Ghettostead Food Security Project
The ProjectThis toolkit is designed to serve as a guide in developing a vision and implementation plan for the proposed Ghettostead Co-Work community and economic development project located in Los Angeles, California. The toolkit outlines a process of project visioning, value and goal setting, implementation options relevant to local contexts, and evaluation tools to determine project impact. The purpose of the toolkit is to provide context, precedents, and feasibility considerations for the development of a successful food security and community development project on the proposed site. Throughout the toolkit we aim to provide general ideas and tips coupled with helpful resources to further explore specific concepts and site options.
As this document highlights sequential processes that build upon a growing understanding of the site vision and opportunities, we recommend first reading the document as a whole to familiarize yourself with the different phases and considerations of the project. Then, refer back to the specific information, resources, and tools relevant to each phase. |
http://www.rhs.org.uk/Gardening/News/Community-at-Edinburgh-botanic-garden
The Ghettostead is a proposed food production and community development project promoting food security and job growth for low-income clients in South Los Angeles. The term “Ghettostead” is a compound word taken from the words ghetto and homestead. Ghetto signifies that the site is located in an impoverished part of the city. Homestead is a private lot used as a residence and as a place to farm animals and produce.
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Political & Resource Context: LA Food Policy Council 2012-13 Recommendations and Priorities
Starting with Mayor Villaraigosa’s administration, the City of Los Angeles has been investing significant political will and resources towards improving the way Angelenos eat and the way food is produced in Los Angeles. Los Angeles now recognizes the important role cities play in addressing the local economic, health and environmental impacts of the global, industrialized food system. Villaraigosa created the Good Food Office, including a food policy team and the incubation of the Los Angeles Food Policy Council, a nonprofit entity with over 40 member organizations. The Good Food Office “catalyzes, coordinates and connects stakeholders from across the food system to create holistic, systems-level transformation” (Good Food Office, City of Los Angeles. Building a Healthy Food System for Los Angeles: Strategies 2012-2013)
These efforts have already begun to pay significant dividends. For example, major food purchasers such as LA Unified School District have adopted the Good Food Purchasing Pledge, creating major changes towards more local, healthier and sustainable food purchasing practices. The Ghettostead has the opportunity to leverage the current political will and available resources by connecting its work with the Food Policy Council’s Strategic Priorities for 2012-13.
The top three priorities all include elements that the Ghettostead should consider aligning with.
These efforts have already begun to pay significant dividends. For example, major food purchasers such as LA Unified School District have adopted the Good Food Purchasing Pledge, creating major changes towards more local, healthier and sustainable food purchasing practices. The Ghettostead has the opportunity to leverage the current political will and available resources by connecting its work with the Food Policy Council’s Strategic Priorities for 2012-13.
The top three priorities all include elements that the Ghettostead should consider aligning with.
Legal Resources & Context
To help navigate the legal framework of development options for the proposed Ghettostead project, the toolkit also provides a compendium of legal contexts relevant to exploring programming alternatives. Information regarding the legal context of re-use alternatives at the Ghettostead is intended as a general overview of applicable local (and some state) land-use regulations. This information was not prepared by a licensed attorney and should not be construed as a provision of legal advice. Readers should consult their attorneys before relying on representations found herein.
Who We Are
This toolkit was designed and developed by Master of Planning candidates at the University of Southern California. This document was the result of a semester long focus on food security and equality in South Los Angeles. Through continued research into what it means to have food security, we developed this toolkit to give individuals and organizations guidelines and inspiration for developing their own programs for food security.
While our research and recommendations are founded in the context of the Ghettostead site and its location in South Los Angeles, the process outline and many of the tips and resources may be applied to other projects.
While our research and recommendations are founded in the context of the Ghettostead site and its location in South Los Angeles, the process outline and many of the tips and resources may be applied to other projects.
Photo order (left to right): Dami, Xiaolong, Ellen, Janis, Alison, Lyndi, Melissa, Sarah, Justin (in front)