Is urban farming only for rich hipsters?

Farms are springing up in cities across Europe, but if they exclude lower income groups they'll do little to help shift towards sustainable food system

Spending on ethical food and drink products - including organic, Fairtrade, free range and freedom foods - hit 8.4bn in the UK in 2013, making up 8.5% of all household food sales.

By leveraging environmental credentials, such as local, sustainable and transparent production, a new wave of urban agriculture enterprises are justifying a premium price. But while a higher price point might better reflect the true cost of food production and help build a viable business, it can also exclude lower income groups, fuelling perception that local, sustainably produced food is the preserve of food elitists.