Urban Food Insecurity in Portland: A Multidisciplinary Approach

Here in Portland, Oregon, it’s easy to feel that we’re living in the land of plenty. Unfortunately, not all of us have equal access to the bounty—indeed, the numbers of people who face food insecurity is on the rise. I believe that urban agriculture provides a way to reduce urban poverty as well food insecurity, and even enhance the urban environment. But it is a complex issue that demands a multifaceted approach.

My academic major, Environmental Science, could bring to the table an ability to sustainably manage resources such as land and water, and examine the quality and quantity of the same. The person with this education will be able to assess the environmental impacts of any proposed action. S/he will be able to provide a fact-based perspective based on the findings. But a scientific approach by itself does nothing to address the larger issues, such as who goes hungry in our city and why. For this, we need help from the social sciences.

A Cultural Studies major would be essential to understanding the stakeholders involved. Cultural Studies might begin by learning why some people aren’t able to feed their families regular, healthy meals. One thing they'll find is that this is disproportionately a gender issue affecting single moms (Floro and Swain 91). Too, there may be ethnic, ideological, or language barriers in the way. The perspective of a Cultural Studies background would provide the know-how to reach the affected population and bridge differences between diverse groups (Dutta 239). For example, younger generations might prefer to be kept up to date via Twitter, while the elderly would not be well served by this approach. Cultural Studies cannot manufacture data, but it is crucial in effectively presenting the information that Environmental Science provides.

Finally, someone with a major in Business would be invaluable in setting up a local food web that includes farmers, food processors, and consumers. This team member might know how to set up a growers' cooperative, for example, for small-scale food production. S/he would know how to set up a business plan, account for equipment costs, and give much-needed advice on marketing to backyard farmers who want to make a living with their urban agriculture. Perhaps s/he would even be able to devise methods of keeping costs down low enough that everyday people could afford to buy this fresh, local food (Feenstra 29).

Environmental Science can prepare the soil, so to speak, but it can't do what Cultural Studies can: sow the seeds of cooperation and understanding. Cultural Studies is ill-equipped to sell the crop, but Business knows how. And Business must communicate with Environmental Science to learn how to grow the best crop possible. Much like a local food web, this cycle is mutually inclusive and can be self-sustaining. There are both benefits and drawbacks to using this multidisciplinary approach. More voices bring a greater range of perspective to the conversation. On the other hand, too many voices can create a lot of unproductive noise. The trick, then, is to choose each component of the team approach with care. Every aspect matters. For example, as the United Nations notes, teams of 5-7 persons are ideal, a number more than 7 means more complication but more diversity, and teams of 3-5 work quickly but are less diverse (WHO 5).

It's not too much to ask that we bring this enlightened approach to bear when we address, for example, the growing problem of hunger right here at home. Urban agriculture in Portland has the ability to address the poverty that's only been exacerbated by the recent economic depression. At the same time, urban ag would benefit Portland's city blocks by increasing greenspaces and community involvement, and getting families on the first step to self-sufficiency.

As one of my sources notes, “We can have it all: economic growth, environmental conservation, social justice; and not just for the moment, but in perpetuity” (Blay-Palmer 22). Yes, we can do this. But it's going to mean taking the risk of inviting a mix of disciplines to the table. We will have to hear other voices. We'll need to build consensus. Surely, in our Portland oasis of plenty, we can manage to do that.

Works Cited

    Blay-Palmer, Alison. Imagining Sustainable Food Systems: Theory and Practice. Farnham: Ashgate Publishing Ltd, 2010. Print.

Dutta, Mohan. “Narratives of Hunger: Voices at the Margins of Neoliberal Development.” The Rhetoric of Food: Discourse, Materiality, and Power. Ed. Frye, Joshua and Bruner, Michael S. New York: Routledge, 2012. 238-253. Print.

Feenstra, Gail W. "Local Food Systems and Sustainable Communities." American Journal of Alternative Agriculture 12.1 (1997): 28-36. Web. 27 January 2014.

Floro, Maria Sagrario and Swain, Ranjula Bali. “Food Security, Gender, and Occupational Choice among Urban Low-Income Households.” World Development 42 (2013): 89-99. Web. 27 January 2014.

World Health Organization (WHO). Team Building. Geneva: World Health Organization, 2007. Web. 30 January 2014.

© Shaii Stone 2014