Food diversity and environmental aspects of home and community gardens in highly urbanized areas of Sao Paulo megacity

Abstract

Abstract Urban agriculture (UA) has been shown to provide several benefits to cities such as regional food production, increased biodiversity, and income generation, especially in peri‐urban areas. However, little is known about the impacts of UA within the urban sprawl of megacities in the Global South, which have different social and territorial configurations than cities in the Global North. This report aimed to characterize spaces, types and quantities of cultivated plants, cultivation practices, economic impacts, and socio‐environmental benefits of home and community gardens in the dense central areas of Sao Paulo megacity, with more than 11 million inhabitants and few planting spaces. An online survey applied to 143 gardeners in 2023 revealed that although having limited spaces (up to 10m 2 ), 172 different food plants were cultivated, predominantly herbs, nonconventional food plants, and leafy vegetables. Sixty‐seven percent of the gardeners had in each meal up to 25% of the food consumed were garden products but most of them were not able to estimate the associated savings in weekly purchases. The gardens also attracted insects and animals, which were perceived positively by most people. Twenty‐two (16%) gardeners maintained beehives in domestic or community gardens, and more than 70% of the gardeners reported the practice of composting. While limited in scale, urban gardens in central and highly urbanized areas of Sao Paulo demonstrated potential to improve access to fresh food, enhance biodiversity, and promote sustainable practices. Our data helped to characterize the typology of UA from a megacity perspective for conditions prevailing in the Global South. Core Ideas Urban agriculture promotes agroecological practices. Urban gardens in central and highly urbanized areas improve access to fresh food. Characteristics of urban gardeners, such as production, types of cultivation, uses, and economic impacts. Plain Language Summary Urban agriculture promotes agroecological practices, enhances biodiversity, combats food insecurity, and improves socio‐environmental conditions. This report aimed to characterize spaces and cultivation practices, economic impacts, and socio‐environmental benefits of home and community gardens. A questionnaire was applied to gardeners, and data on demographics, types and quantities of cultivated plants, and associated impacts were collected. Results showed that although they have limited spaces (up to 10 m 2 ), 172 different food plants were cultivated, predominantly herbs, nonconventional food plants, and leafy vegetables. Sixty‐seven percent affirmed that in each meal up to 25% of the food consumed contained garden products but most of them were not able to estimate the associated savings in weekly purchases. While limited in scale, urban gardens in central and highly urbanized areas demonstrate significant potential to improve access to fresh food and promote sustainable practices.