The Board of Commissioners at the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago (MWRD) approved a resolution to expand and support urban agriculture projects that will help address food insecurity while complementing stormwater management efforts throughout Cook County. 

Tasked with protecting area water quality, transforming wastewater into clean water and managing stormwater, MWRD programs such as the Green Infrastructure Partnership Program and the Real Estate Program can help provide resources through local partnerships to support urban agriculture, such as community gardens. 

“By addressing food security through urban agriculture, we can also tackle flooding issues,” said MWRD President Kari K. Steele. “Urban farming can replace impervious surfaces, collect runoff, and improve soil retention, erosion control and water filtration, all while supporting our neighbors living in food deserts and poverty.”

According to the resolution, the Greater Chicago Food Depository (GCFD) defines food insecurity as a “lack of consistent access to adequate, nutritious food” and links poverty to food insecurity. The GCFD also notes that children, working families, and older adults are at greater risk of food insecurity.  In its 2022 Status Report, the GCFD estimated that in the Chicago metropolitan area, approximately 16 percent of households experienced food insecurity. Feeding America, a 40-year-old national nonprofit aimed at responding to America's hunger crisis, estimates that one in five children across America may lack adequate access to healthy food. Approximately 44 percent, or over 279,000 individuals in Cook County were not eligible for assistance under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, according to Feeding America.

"This is a great example of how government agencies can be creative in reducing a lot of different stresses on Cook County residents all at once,” said MWRD Commissioner Cameron Davis. “People shouldn’t have to travel long distances to get to high-end organic grocery stores when we have the land for cities and towns to encourage growing healthy, inexpensive food that also helps save the environment." 

Government entities interested in urban agriculture or community gardens can consider leasing available MWRD real estate, which is illustrated through an interactive map on the website.