Metropolitan Food Systems
CPLN 621
Prof. Domenic Vitiello
vitiello@design.upenn.edu
Description and goals:
This course introduces students to the planning and development of regional and
community food systems. It focuses on strategies by which planning and allied
professionals impact food systems through traditional and non-traditional planning and
community economic development institutions. Major topics include foodshed planning;
municipal food policy; community food security; distribution and markets; and urban
agriculture. The class includes a mix of lectures, discussion, and field trips, some of
which involve hands-on work. Assignments include two short papers, a take-home exam,
and a group or individual project. Ultimately, the course aims to develop students’ broad
knowledge of food systems planning, with an emphasis on community and economic
development strategies for sustainable food systems and food security.
Upon completing this course, students will:
 Understand how food systems work at the local, regional, and global scales.
 Have broad knowledge of food systems planning, policy, and development in the
global North and South.
 Have in-depth knowledge and capacity to analyze community and economic
development strategies for food security.
 Have practical experience in a community food research project.
Assignments and Grading
For Masters students
Class participation
30%
Class participation grades are based on students’ willingness to participate,
ability to synthesize and critically analyze assigned readings in class discussion,
and performance in in-class exercises (on trips as well as in the classroom).
Four lunches essay
5%
Planning and policy exercise
10%
Take-home exam
25%
Group or individual project
30%
Students will be able to choose from pre-arranged group projects focused on
practice-oriented research with the Philadelphia Health Department, SHARE
Food Program, or Urban Nutrition Initiative; or propose and develop an
individual project of their own.
For Ph.D. students
Class participation
30%
Class participation grades are based on students’ willingness to participate,
ability to synthesize and critically analyze assigned readings in class discussion.
Annotated bibliography, literature review, or research paper
70%
The specific format and focus of this assignment or assignments will be
determined in consultation with the instructor. The work should help advance the
student’s progress toward doctoral exams and research.
Trips
Class trips will be on foot, via transit, and perhaps carpool or bicycle. Wear
comfortable, sturdy shoes and weather-appropriate clothing. Penn will pay for tokens
when we take SEPTA. One trip will involve work in a food packing warehouse, and at
least one class trip will involve active participation in working with soil, plants, and
perhaps minor construction. Students are expected to wear appropriate clothing (boots,
clothes that can get dirty) and come prepared to work with your hands.
SCHEDULE (overview)
I. Metropolitan food systems and planning
January 13
Introductions and history of food systems planning
January 20
Comparative food systems
Assignment due: four lunches dish/meal (group) and essay (individual)
January 27
Metropolitan systems
February 3
Regional food planning
Guest: Alison Hastings, Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission
Due: group project preferences or individual project proposal
February 10
City food planning and policy
Guest: Amanda Wagner, Philadelphia Department of Public Health
II. Community Food Security
February 17
*1:30-5pm
Inner city food environments
Assignment due: planning and policy exercise
Trip:
Food retail assessment training with Prof. Amy Hillier, Penn Planning
February 24
*12-5pm
Hunger policy and food relief systems
Trip:
SHARE Food Program
March 2
No class
Spring Break
March 16
Food justice
III. Community Economic Development
March 23
Distribution systems and value chains
Guest: Megan Bucknum, Philly CowShare
March 30
Markets
Trip:
Reading Terminal Market
* Take-home exam distributed
April 6
Food enterprise and workforce development
Assignment due: Brief presentations on project progress in class
April 13
*12-5pm
Urban farming and gardening
Trip:
Community gardens and farms
April 20
*12-5pm
Designing edible cities
Assignment due: take-home exam
Trip:
Permaculture planting with Phil Forsyth, Philadelphia Orchard Project
May 8
Assignment due: group or individual project
I. Metropolitan food systems and planning
January 13
Introductions
January 20
Comparative food systems
Reading:
 Sandor Katz, The Revolution Will Not Be Microwaved, chapter 1.
 Michael Pollan, The Omnivore’s Dilemma, selections (see assignment).
 Deutsche Bank, “Investing in Agriculture” (2009), pp.6-17.
 Browse and read at least five articles on food systems from The Guardian and
New York Times (links on Blackboard).
Assignment due: Four lunches (distributed Jan. 13)
January 27
Metropolitan systems
Reading:
 William Reese, “Understanding Urban Ecosystems” (2002).
 Brian Halweil, “Change on the Horizon” (2005).
 Capper, Cady, and Bauman, “Demystifying the Environmental Sustainability
of Food Production” (2009).
 Thomas Lyson, “Civic Agriculture & the N. American Food System” (2007).
 Marcia Caton Campbell, “Building a Common Table” (2004).
February 3
Regional and land planning
Reading:
 DVRPC food study (2010) and plan summary (2011).
o Browse other regional projects from California, New York, Oregon.
 Samina Raja et al, Community and Regional Food Planning (2008), pp.34-41.
 Tom Daniels, “Farmland Preservation Planning in Local Land Use Planning.”
 Matthew Mariola, “Losing ground” (2005).
 Sara Munoz, “For Sale: Condo With Chicken Coop” (2007).
 Lynn Markham, “Farming Subdivisions: Problematic or Promising” (2007).
Due: a brief note about your preferences for group projects AND/OR a one-page
proposal for an individual project.
Guest: Alison Hastings, Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission
February 10
Municipal planning and policy
Reading:
 Kailee Neuner et al, Planning to Eat? (2011).
 Vancouver food policy article and web site – browse thoroughly.
 Laura Lawson et al., Greening Cities, Growing Communities (2009), ch.3.
 RUAF overview, CFFF, FSTT, and city declarations.
 Strongly suggested: APA policy guide; Raja et al APA food planning report;
Zoning Practice articles.
Guest: Amanda Wagner, Philadelphia Department of Public Health
II. Community Food Security
February 17
*1:30-5pm
Inner city food environments
Reading:
 Kami Pothukuchi, “Community Food Assessment” (2004).
 “Whole Measures for Community Food Systems” (2009).
 Mari Gallagher Group, Examining the Impact of Food Deserts (2006).
 Samina Raja et al, “Beyond Food Deserts” (2008).
 Suggested: Household Food Security in Slum Areas of Bangladesh (2007).
Assignment due: Planning and policy exercise (assignment distributed Feb. 3).
Trip: Retail assessment training with Prof. Amy Hillier, Penn Planning
February 24
*12-5pm
Hunger policy and food relief systems
Reading:
 Lang, Barling, and Caraher, Food Policy (2009), chapter 2.
 Patricia Allen, “Reweaving the food security safety net” (1999).
 Mark Winne, Closing the Food Gap (2008), chapters 5, 9, and conclusion.
Trip:
March 2
Spring break
SHARE Food Program (Bill Shick, Steveanna Wynn)
No class
March 16
Food justice
Reading:
 Gerda Wekerle, “Food justice movements” (2004).
 Vandana Shiva, “Earth Democracy.”
 Frances and Anna Lappe, Hope’s Edge (2002), chapters 3-4.
 Robert Gottlieb and Anupama Joshi, Food Justice (2010), chapters 5-6.
 “Race and the Food System.”
 Tom Philpott, “Walmart drops $1 million…” (2010).
 Greg Bloom, “Another World Is Possible” (2010).
 Browse community food projects on Blackboard.
III. Community Economic Development
March 23
Distribution systems and value chains
Reading:
 Value Chain Partnerships, “Definitions and Logic Models.”
 Dubbeling, Hoekstra, and van Veenhuizen, “From Seed to Table” (2010).
 Wallace Center SYSCO case study.
 Corby Kummer, “The Great Grocery Smackdown” (2010).
 Marian Burros, “Uniting Around Food to Save an Ailing Town” (2008).
 Kate Kilpatrick, “The Corn Ultimatum” (2008).
 Tanya Denckla Cobb, Reclaiming Our Food (2011), gleaning case study.
 Browse distribution sites on Blackboard.
Guest:
March 30
Megan Bucknum, Philly CowShare
Markets
Reading:
 Reardon et al., “The Rise of Supermarkets in Africa, Asia, and Latin
America” (2003).
 Giang et al., “Closing the Grocery Gap in Underserved Communities” (2008).
 Morales and Kettles, “Zoning for Public Markets and Street Vendors” (2010).
 Gilbert Gillespie et al, “Farmers’ Markets as Keystones in Rebuilding Local
and Regional Food Systems” (2008).
 Healthy Corner Stores Initiative.
Trip:
Reading Terminal Market
April 6
Food enterprise and workforce development
Reading:
 Community Food Enterprise – read at least 2 US and 2 international cases.
 Immigrant farming case studies – read at least three.
 Tim Beatley, Intervale case study.
 Tanya Denckla Cobb, DC Central Kitchen case study.
 Browse enterprise and workforce development sites on Blackboard.
Assignment due: Come prepared to give a brief progress report on your project.
Take-home exam distributed
April 13
*12-5pm
Urban farming and gardening
Reading:
 van Veenhuizen, ed., Cities Farming for the Future (2006), ch. 7 (skim ch. 6).
 Browse RUAF partner cities.
 Laura Lawson et al., Greening Cities, Growing Communities (2009), ch.1-2.
 Kim Hodgson et al., Urban Agriculture (2011), selections.
 Monica White, “D-Town” (2010).
 Catherine Early, “Urban Jungle” (2009).
 Capital Growth program.
Trip:
April 20
*12-5pm
Community gardens and farms
Designing edible cities
Reading:
 Andre Viljoen, ed., CPULs (2005), chapters 1 and 25.
 Dickson Despommier, “A farm on every floor” (2009).
 de la Salle and Holland, Agricultural Urbanism (2010), ch. 4 and appendix.
 Alex Wilson, “Growing food locally” (2009).
 Dave Jacke, Edible Forest Gardens, Volume 1 (2005), chapters 1, 3, and 4.
Assignment due: take-home exam
Trip:
May 8
Permaculture planting with Phil Forsyth, Philadelphia Orchard Project
Assignment due: group or individual project