How We Rated Cities

SustainLane used data from the US Department of Agriculture for farmers' markets and conducted primary research on farmers' markets and community gardens.

This year, Minneapolis takes home the bacon (and tomatoes, corn and turnips) with strong showings in both farmers markets and community gardens per capita. The city boasts 18 markets, of which nearly half accept food stamps. That’s in addition to 60-plus community gardens. All that and a bucket of locally grown, free-range chicken, for a city of only 373,943 residents. But what does this look like for an average resident? Skim the seasonal menu of local upstart Common Roots Cafe, which has served locally grown food from day one.

Cleveland takes second place in our bakeoff with 12 farmers' markets and 225 community gardens reported, serving truckloads of fresh food to its population of over 450,000. A nearly 600 percent increase in total number of farmers' markets and a sizable increase in community gardens since 2006 explain Cleveland's ascent in this rankings category.

Third place Boston still reigns supreme as a leader in local food and agriculture, with a large number of farmers' markets and community gardens per capita. Boston's good taste is supported by strong local food education and distribution programs.

At number four, Oakland moved up the food chain significantly since 2006, with a booming network of farmers' markets which literally exploded in number between 2005 and 2007--per capita at least. In raw terms, the total number more than doubled to 14, nestled among the city's various neighborhoods. Oakland's tally of community gardens increased slightly, and we took time out to speak with People's Grocery, one local food justice nonprofit helping to make it happen.

Washington , D.C. (number five) has strong links to its regional agricultural territory and the second-highest rate of farmers markets per capita.

Doctor's Note:

We would like to highlight the unique influence that non-profit health maintenance organization (HMO) Kaiser Permanente has provided in cities where it operates (West Coast, Honolulu and Georgia) in recent years, through the leadership of one inspired doctor on staff. Kaiser hospital campuses now house 25 farmers’ markets throughout the west coast, including including the first farmers' market in Oakland . All this thanks to Dr. Preston Maring. Make sure to bookmark Dr. Maring's blog for recipes and locations!

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