Proeftuin Amsterdam/Food systems planning in Amsterdam-The Netherlands
urban agriculture experience
Authors: Pim Vermeulen
Proeftuin Amsterdam/Food systems planning in Amsterdam-The Netherlands
Until recently, linkages between the city of Amsterdam and the surrounding area have been few with respect to the consumption of regional food. But with almost 40% of Amsterdam’s ecological footprint stemming from the provision of food (transport excluded), and with unhealthy eating habits and lifestyles causing considerable negative impacts on citizens’ physical well-being (such as obesity), there was plenty of reason for the city of Amsterdam to develop a strategy on healthy, sustainable, regional food chains, with special emphasis on urban-rural relationships (Northumbria University, 2008). This strategy called “Proeftuin Amsterdam” (a play on words: test garden, taste garden, or field of experiment) was initiated in 2007. The approach derives from the concept of a “Sustainable Food Chain”, covering all steps from production, processing, and distribution of food to selling, preparing, consumption and waste disposal – placing the urban consumer in a central position (Northumbria University, 2008).
The main goals of “Proeftuin Amsterdam“ are:
to create food awareness;
to change towards better food (i.e. healthier and more sustainable);
to find a new role for farmers in the peri-urban region.
Practice
Type of Urban Agriculture practiced:
Healthy Food
Sustainable Regional Food Chain
Urban-rural relations
Knowledge, jobs, education
Summary of your experience;
UA and the urban food crisis
Full name, function, address and contact details
References:
This document in different languages
- English: proeftuin_amsterdam_food_system.pdf (79 KiB)
- Chinese: proeftuin.pdf (320 KiB)