Activities

Cidades Sem Fome (CSF) is a São Paulo-based organization working to combat food insecurity in Brazil by transforming degraded, underutilized, or abandoned urban areas into productive gardens within communities facing proven vulnerability. The organization currently operates in the states of São Paulo, Rio Grande do Sul, Rio de Janeiro, and Bahia—regions marked by high levels of hunger and nutritional deficiencies.

History

Founded in 2004 by Hans Dieter Temp, CSF has over 20 years of experience converting abandoned urban land into productive, dignified spaces. Over the past five years, it has expanded into other regions of Brazil, notably the Northeast. CSF has strong institutional credibility and has received national and international recognition from organizations such as the United Nations, Ashoka, UBS, and the Cargill Foundation.

Impact

CSF’s work aligns with strategies for productive inclusion, helping increase access to food by boosting household purchasing power and encouraging the consumption of locally grown produce. Urban and community food gardens, such as those created by CSF, have demonstrated positive impacts on dietary quality and diversity, particularly by increasing fruit and vegetable intake. Their production supplies not only residents but also schools, hospitals, supermarkets, and small businesses, thereby strengthening the sustainable food supply chain and addressing structural barriers to food access and income generation in urban areas marked by poverty and food insecurity.

Transparency

The organization is open to external evaluation and undergoes regular audits by both public and private entities. It also publishes regular activity reports and maintains active and up-to-date communication channels. While CSF does not publish its financial reports online, it has been responsive and willing to share financial information upon request.

The intervention selected by doebem

CSF’s urban food gardens, established in degraded urban areas, range from 3,000 to 10,000 square meters. A 3,000 m² garden has an average net implementation cost of US$49,166, covering a three-year period—the time required to achieve self-sufficiency. Each garden employs four farmers, each earning the equivalent of two minimum wages, which raises their average monthly income by US$409. The produce is sold to the community at affordable prices, and any surplus is distributed among the farmers. In doing so, CSF helps combat food deserts and swamps that affect the outskirts of Brazil’s large cities.

How can we help?