Historically, the Cumberland Plain in Western Sydney was the agricultural heartland of the early colony, providing necessary food supplies. Today, urban sprawl has largely displaced broadacre farming.
However, peri-urban agriculture remains important in the Sydney Basin, particularly on the fringes of the metropolitan area (such as the Hawkesbury and Wollondilly regions). These areas produce a significant portion of the state's perishable goods, including poultry, fresh leafy vegetables, mushrooms, and ornamental nursery plants. There is also a growing movement toward urban farming, community gardens, and organic food markets within the inner city.