An ever-increasing number of people are interested in growing food close to home or buying food that is produced nearby. New business models are springing up, land use priorities are changing. This interest in local food can be tonic to local food security, and its encouragement can be an important part of any locality's preparation for peak oil.

A business in San Francisco turns backyards into a "decentralized urban farm" -- a more productive use of land that can boost food production and bring neighbors together.

Mayor of London Boris Johnson and Rosie Boycott, Chair of London Food, today launched an innovative scheme to turn 2,012 pieces of land into thriving green spaces to grow food by 2012. Capital Growth – the first initiative delivered by Rosie Boycott in her capacity as Chair of London Food – aims to identify suitable patches of land around London and offer financial and practical support to groups of enthusiastic gardeners or organisations who want to grow food for themselves and for the local community.

An interview with David MacLeod of Sustainable Bellingham about the formation and goals of the joint Bellingham / Whatcom County Energy Resource Scarcity / Peak Oil task force.

The Planning Commissioners Journal offers this volume of reprinted articles on themes related to the title. Read essays on downtown grocery stores, transfer of development rights, green infrastructure, and food systems.

Victoria councillors have approved changes to the municipality's zoning bylaw to include urban agriculture as an allowable home occupation for up to two people living in a house.

Two activists in Todmorden, England are working to make their town self-sufficient in ten years. The transformation of their town to a productive green landscape is part of a greater movement toward urban gardening and agriculture that can help create greater food security in cities.

Cities and counties across Colorado are experimenting with new ways to minimize trash and maximize recycling, spurred on by higher landfill fees and global-warming worries.

Backyard chickens are gaining popularity in Rochester, N.Y. as residents explore home food production beyond the veggie plot. Town regulations regarding animals like chickens are often little-known, and vary from town to town.

Alaskan towns like Haines Borough are seeing greatly increased food bills due to high freight costs. These greater expenses compound the impact of already burdensome increased energy costs.