Parramatta. Feeding Sydney project underway

A land use survey of the Sydney basin is underway in the Parramatta-based UWS Urban Research Centre’s Feeding Sydney project., which is concerned about the future of produce production in the basin. An earlier study by Associate Professor, Frances Parker, pointed out that 40 per cent of Sydney's 2000 market gardens were in designated growth areas. She said the industry, which employed 12,000 people, was worth over $1 billion annually and produced 100 per cent of Asian greens, 91 per cent of spring onions and shallots, 90 per cent of Sydney’s perishable vegetables, 80 per cent of its mushrooms and 70 per cent of fresh tomatoes. The centre is a joint sponsor of the Sydney Food fairness Alliance’s Food Summit, in October.