Unveiling quiet activism: Urban community gardens as agents of food sovereignty

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Date

2024

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

John Wiley and Sons Inc

Abstract

Urban community gardening is emerging as a form of quiet activism challenging the corporate food system. In urban community gardening, quiet activism subtly challenges the dominant corporate food system. However, research tends to overlook its presence and impact in global South cities, where issues of food insecurity and corporatisation are acute. There is a gap in research on urban community gardening activism, with a focus mainly on global North cities. Global South cities and populations face unique challenges in the corporate food system that require attention and exploration in scholarly literature. We draw on qualitative research conducted with urban community gardeners in Cape Town, South Africa. Through interviews and observations, the study investigates how these gardeners engage in quiet activism to challenge the corporate food system. We find that community gardens are subtle but potent platforms for bolstering local food movements and fostering healthier dietary practices by cultivating and sharing produce. Quiet activism through community gardening offers a nuanced approach to challenging the corporate food system. The study highlights the need to recognise and understand varying levels of activism intensity and their implications for reshaping urban food systems. We underscore the need to discern the distinct embodiments necessitated by different modes of activism.

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Keywords

Cape Town, community gardens, food activism, Global South cities, quiet activism

Citation

Kanosvamhira, T.P. and Tevera, D., 2024. Unveiling quiet activism: Urban community gardens as agents of food sovereignty. Geographical Research, 62(3), pp.402-415.