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The connection between urban food cultivation and migrant wellbeing
Research carried out by Leeds Beckett University’s Dr Natalia Gerodetti and former Leeds Beckett Senior Lecturer Sally Foster has looked at the connection between urban food cultivation and cultural wellbeing.
With an increasing interest in how outdoor environments can be beneficial for wellbeing, the research looks beyond physical, mental and social wellbeing. The work Natalia and Sally carried out explores the idea of cultural wellbeing.
Research in this field often looks at links to health and wellbeing through the lens of experience of gardens and allotments, the physical activity of gardening and reaping the rewards of the effort put in. ‘Growing foods from home’ examines how food cultivation can connect people who have migrated with memories and experiences that can have an impact on wellbeing.
Dr Natalia Gerodetti says: “Research with people who grow food in urban areas shows that we get many benefits from growing plants, sharing spaces and exchanging knowledge and skills. No matter whether people grow herbs in pots in small spaces, transform their front gardens and porches, give over back gardens to food cultivation, or whether they have an allotment or get involved in urban farms.
“Growing food evokes memories, has sensory connotations and often leads to socially meaningful interactions and sharing practices. In our busy world, growing something gives back.”
You can read more about ‘Growing foods from home’ by reading the open-source paper published here.