PROBLEM:
In 1946, a Los Angeles municipal code known as the Truck Gardening Ordinance was written to allow the growing of vegetables in residential (R) zones for sale off-site. This means that currently, it is technically prohibited for city dwellers in residential zones to grow fruits, nuts, flowers or seedlings and sell them off-site – at local farmers’ markets for example.

UFA believes that LA’s current zoning does not support urban farming or people’s growing desire to have access to locally-grown, organic, fresh, nutritious, safe and pesticide-free food and flowers.

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SOLUTION:
On July 8, 2009, City Council President Eric Garcetti, introduced a motion to explore allowing “the cultivation of flowers, fruits, nuts or vegetables defined as the product of any tree, vine or plant, and that these products be allowed for use on-site or sale off-site.”

UFA has dubbed this motion the Food & Flowers Freedom Act.

Councilmember Garcetti believes that “it is in the interest of the city to promote the growth, harvest, on-site consumption and off-site sale of fruits, vegetables, flowers, and other urban gardening products in the city.  The growth of these products, and their sale at local farmers’ markets and other fresh food access programs, are directly related to the city’s efforts to green Los Angeles (by reducing the carbon footprint of food imported from other parts of the country and world), promote nutrition (by providing fresh produce in the city), and foster stronger bonds in the community (by encouraging local participation in farmers’ markets and other fresh food access programs), and create local sustainable job opportunities.

If you agree, then please take action.  The Food & Flowers Freedom Act needs your support, and lots of it!

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ACTION:
Here’s what you can do to legalize urban farming in LA.

1. Please write to your Los Angeles City Councilmember.

To find your local councilmember, go to this link: http://lacity.org/lacity/YourGovernment/CityCouncil/index.htm

2. Subject: The Food & Flowers Freedom Act

Tell your councilmember that you support urban farming in Los Angeles and the Food & Flowers Freedom Act, otherwise known as Motion 09-1685 introduced by City Council President Eric Garcetti on July 8, 2009.

3. Tell your councilmember: I want the Planning Department to expedite their work and legalize the growing of urban farming products (such as flowers, fruit and nuts) in LA City residential zones for sale off-site, at farmers’ markets for example.

LA’s current zoning and the Truck Gardening Ordinance of 1946, which the Food & Flowers Freedom Act seeks to reform, do not support urban agriculture, small business or Angelenos’ growing desire to have access to locally-grown, organic, fresh, nutritious, safe and pesticide-free food and flowers.

The Food & Flowers Freedom Act is directly related to the city’s efforts to green Los Angeles. Please tell City Planning to expedite this Act.  It is also directly related to Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa’s creation of a task force on September 3, 2009 to promote food safety in the city.  Thank you.

4. IMPORTANT please cc :    Council President Eric Garcetti at councilmember.garcetti@lacity.org and gdake@pacbell.net

5. THANK YOU!!

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