Fact Sheets on Local Control in Regional Food Systems

Posted by on June 25, 2007

This is an important new resource from Environmental Commons ? a series of educational fact sheets on the importance of local control in supporting healthy regional food systems.

Local food is quickly gaining recognition as a key to sustainability, strong economies and community health. However, the structures that either support or discourage local food systems receive much less attention. Local food systems simply won?t be viable unless communities have a greater ability to influence food-related policies that relate to local health, safety and environment.

The fact sheets are intended 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.

The fact sheets are now available nationally through Environmental Commons. They can be downloaded from http://www.environmentalcommons.org/LocalFood/ and are available in full-color hard copy as well. Please help distribute these far and wide!