Feeding Cities at the Fringe: The Role and Value of Peri‐Urban Agriculture in Western Sydney, Australia

Producing food in the face of global population growth and urbanisation has become a critical challenge. Peri‐urban areas, the transitional spaces on the outskirts of cities, play a crucial role in agricultural food production, yet they are subject to rapid changes due to urban encroachment. This article examines the peri‐urban conflict in Western Sydney, Australia, where agricultural lands are consumed by urban and rural residential development. Using data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), the study analyses the contribution of peri‐urban areas to vegetable production. The results reveal that the Sydney Peri‐Urban Area is the primary region for perishable vegetable production in New South Wales, contributing 46% of the total production value. This study is the first to combine detailed ABS data sets to demonstrate both the scale and value of peri‐urban food production in Sydney. It highlights the significance of peri‐urban areas in supplying fresh produce close to the market and population centres. It emphasises the need to preserve agricultural land to ensure food security. The changing food production scenarios in peri‐urban areas demand continuous spatial reconfiguration, making the protection of these lands a complex challenge. Effective preservation strategies require addressing land use conflicts, negative public perceptions, economic factors and environmental concerns. This research highlights the significance of peri‐urban agriculture in maintaining food supply and advocates for informed urban planning policies that protect agricultural lands during urban expansion.