Mayor Ed Lee signed a new measure allowing "urban agriculture" in San Francisco on Wednesday. The legislation rewrites old zoning laws that prohibited people from selling homegrown produce without a permit and a hearing in front of the city.
The push to change the city's codes was lead by farmers like Brooke Buddner and Caitlin Galloway who founded Little City Gardens, a small farm on an empty lot in San Francisco's Mission Terrace. After discovering the city's expensive permit process they teamed up with other local food lovers to push for the zoning change.
Reporter Lauren Sommer spoke with Buddner and Galloway in February about their urban farm.
About the project
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Neighbors reaction
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How they chose their site
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Campaigning for a new zoning law
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The importance of urban agriculture
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The ordinance also allows for the sale, donation, or pick-up of fresh food grown throughout the city, as well as "value-addded products" like jams, pickles or pies.
Oakland's urban farmer, Novella Carpenter, who is faces thousands of dollars in fines, hopes that other cities will follow San Francisco's lead.
