by Brianna Crandall — May 15, 2013—EAT UP, said to be the first full-length book about rooftop food production, has been released by Philadelphia-based green roof designer and landscape architect Lauren Mandel. Published internationally by New Society Publishers (a carbon-neutral publishing house), EAT UP explains the practices and practicality of rooftop agriculture through case studies, interviews with industry leaders, and useful checklists.
Facilities managers at educational, restaurant, healthcare or commercial facilities who are considering or already have green roofs may be interested in the idea of adding food-producing plants to their roof vegetation mix, whether to help provide fresh food for their organization’s needs, or as a teaching tool for students.
With over 60 percent of the global population now living in urban areas, innovative forms of food production such as rooftop agriculture are becoming increasingly important in addressing food needs while also appealing to those interested in growing fresh food close to home, says the publisher.
EAT UP consists of three sections: home rooftop gardening, commercial rooftop farming, and the rooftop agriculture industry, making it the most comprehensive guide to date on the subject matter, according to the publisher.
The graphically rich guide explains the practicalities of structural, access and infrastructural considerations; zoning and building codes; proven growing techniques; and business and marketing strategies. It includes interviews with industry professionals, as well as easy-to-use checklists and a decision tree to help gauge the viability of a rooftop project.
The book culminates a three-year research and photography project for Mandel, who is a Project Manager and Rooftop Agriculture Specialist at the Philadelphia-based green roof firm Roofmeadow, where she designs vegetated and agricultural roofs and oversees green roof construction throughout the United States.
EAT UP is available in print and e-book from New Society Publishers, Barnes and Noble, Amazon.com, and local book stores.
