Fact Sheet: Local Food Systems

Posted by on December 15, 2006

[posted from Community Food Security listserv]

A new resource from Environmental Commons — a series of educational fact sheets on the importance of local control in supporting healthy regional food systems.

The fact sheets are now available nationally through Environmental Commons. They can be downloaded from http://www.environmentalcommons.org/LocalFood/

The fact sheets are a clear and concise educational tool to raise awareness and inspire action for strong local food systems. The fact sheet “Shaping our Local Food Systems” outlines the importance of local jurisdiction over many aspects of food and agriculture and illustrates why food should be controlled locally. “Local Food Systems: Challenges and Threats” describes the forces that shape food systems in the interests of a few large corporations at the expense of the public interest, and “Local Food Systems: Getting Involved” charts the course for building food systems that truly support local communities. Finally, “The Place of Food in Our Lives” reflects on the consequences of understanding our food primarily as a commodity versus as an integral part of family and community life.