Planting the seeds of food security In Meadville, PA through food forestry

Swanson, Anthony

Planting the seeds of food security In Meadville, PA through food forestry

Persistent URL

https://hdl.handle.net/10456/57669

Author(s)

Swanson, Anthony

Date Issued

April 13, 2024

Abstract

Food insecurity is a problem in Meadville, Pa. Poverty is experienced at a higher rate than the national average and food deserts limit the variety and quality of food in the city. Relying on modern agriculture does not yield sustainable results and rates of food insecurity are likely to increase. The proposed alternative, food forests, are more resistant to the effects of climate change and are better able to combat food insecurity. Food forests can be of public service through the provision of sufficiently diverse nutrients, communal and mental benefits of greenspaces, and the targeting of the root causes of food insecurity. The aim of this comprehensive project is to create a design for a food forest in Meadville, PA. The final deliverable will be the ability to use this paper as directions for the creation of a food forest that can directly fulfill the four pillars of food security; availability, access, utilization and stability.

Major

Environmental Science and Sustainability

First Reader(s)

Krone, Adrienne M.