Shifting the paradigm From Farm to Fork towards Park to Fork

Urban green spaces, including parks and community gardens, are increasingly recognized as valuable resources for sustainable food production and ecological services. The concept of "Park to Fork" shifts the traditional "Farm to Fork" paradigm by utilizing urban environments not only as spaces for recreation but also as sites for growing edible ornamentals and producing biopesticides. This approach promotes biodiversity, enhances food sovereignty, and reduces the ecological footprint of urban areas. In particular, biopesticides derived from invasive plant species, often found in urban parks, offer an eco-friendly alternative to synthetic chemicals in pest management. By integrating edible plants and biocontrol agents into urban landscapes, we can improve the sustainability of food systems, support local economies, and foster community engagement with sustainable practices. This research explores the potential of urban green spaces to contribute to food security and ecological health while addressing the challenges of urbanization and environmental degradation.

Rapid urbanization has led to challenges in maintaining sustainable food systems and managing environmental impacts in cities. As urban areas expand, traditional agricultural practices struggle to meet the increasing demand for food while minimizing harm to ecosystems. The concept of "Park to Fork" offers a new approach by utilizing urban green spaces—such as parks and community gardens—not only for recreation but also for growing food and developing eco-friendly pest control methods. This research aims to investigate how urban landscapes can support the cultivation of edible plants and the production of biopesticides from local flora, particularly invasive species. By integrating these strategies into city planning, the research seeks to enhance urban food security, reduce dependency on chemical pesticides, and foster biodiversity. To achieve this, it is essential to explore the viability of edible ornamentals and evaluate the potential of biopesticides derived from plants commonly found in urban environments. Collaboration between local governments, researchers, and communities will be crucial in promoting sustainable urban agriculture and ensuring that green spaces contribute to the health and resilience of cities.

The scope of this Research Topic revolves around advancing the principles of circular bioeconomy within urban environments, emphasizing the transformative potential of green spaces for food production and sustainable pest management. We invite contributors to explore innovative approaches to utilizing urban parks, community gardens, and green roofs as multifunctional spaces that foster biodiversity, local food sovereignty, and eco-friendly pest control. Specific themes include the cultivation of edible ornamentals, the use of invasive plant species for biopesticide production, and the integration of circular practices in urban agriculture, such as recycling organic waste into valuable resources for food systems. Additionally, we encourage research that highlights the socio-economic benefits of urban farming, including enhanced community engagement, reduced environmental footprint, and improved resilience of cities to climate change. We welcome a variety of manuscript types, including original research, case studies, and reviews, that present novel approaches or conceptual frameworks linking urban green spaces to circular bioeconomy strategies—transforming cities into sustainable, self-sustaining ecosystems.

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Case Report
• Classification
• Clinical Trial
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• FAIR² DATA Direct Submission
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• ... View all formats

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Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Case Report
• Classification
• Clinical Trial
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• FAIR² DATA Direct Submission
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Review
• Systematic Review
• Technology and Code

Keywords: Circular Bioeconomy, Urban Agriculture, Edible Ornamentals, Biopesticides, Invasive Plant Species, Sustainable Food Systems, Community Gardens, Eco-friendly Agriculture, Urban Resilience

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.