What is a local/regional food system?

A local/regional food system includes the cultivation, distribution, processing and consumption of food that is grown proximate (within 400 miles).  A local food system improves the well being of local consumers, the local ecology, the local economy and the planet.

• Growing local food by small farmers with healthy farming practices leads to healthier food, soil and eco-systems.
  
  
  
• Improved nutritional quality of the food eaten leads to healthier people.
  
  
  
• The reduction of fossil fuel use for fertilizers, pesticides, processing and transportation leads to reduced CO2 emissions and preserved energy sources for future generations.
  
  
  
• Most importantly for our community, building a local food system will allow us to create a self sustaining economic infrastructure. Social enterprises of products and services can be generated in every aspect of the food system. 
  

A local food system is the basis of community food security.   Unlike global, commercial agriculture, a local food system is more resilient to increasing effects of climate change and resource depletion.  A local food system is, simply put, more sustainable.