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Our food system consists of the interconnected web of people and practices involved in producing, packaging, distributing, consuming and disposing of the food we eat. It includes small and large-scale farmers, fishermen, vegetable gardeners, processors, distributors, small stores and big supermarkets, restaurateurs, food-related educational and advocacy groups, consumers, and waste management.
What Kind of System Do We Want?
A healthy and strong community food system enhances the environmental, economic and social health of a particular place, and strengthens our community’s (1) self-reliance, (2) sustainability, (3) access to food, (4) well-being, and (5) relationships.
Self-Reliance. This involves expanding our community’s capacity to meet its food needs by increasing agricultural and other sources of food production, encouraging community residents to grow their own food and increasing self-reliance tools for low-income parts of the population.
Sustainability. This involves improving our agricultural and fishing practices to ensure that we produce and harvest our food in ways that preserve rather than undermine the long-term fertility of our soil and oceans, and the nutritious quality of the food we eat.
Affordable Access. This involves improving access to an affordable nutritious diet for everyone, including lower income citizens and seniors through innovative distribution strategies like mobile markets and larger economic strategies that ensure a living wage for local residents.
Health. This involves promoting dietary practices that consider the seasonal availability of foods produced by the local food and agricultural system, and that optimize health by reducing risks of diet-related chronic diseases.
Synergy. This involves increasing linkages between local food system stakeholders (through Farmer’s Markets, Buy Local Campaigns and partnerships). Greater synergy increases our community’s ability to develop win-win solutions to address challenges such as disappearing farmland, decreased soil fertility, the financial plight of farmers and fishermen, lack of access to nutritious food, hunger etc.
2008 Food Connections Objectives
Strengthen our Local Agricultural Base by promoting and supporting policies, agricultural practices, and organizations that protect our farm land and support our local farmers.
Grow a Network of Vegetable and Community Gardens as a source of food security for the community.
Create Learning Opportunities for our Youth through educational and employment programs on the land and in school settings.
Identify the Systemic Roots of Malnutrition and Food Insecurity and support initiatives that increase access to nutritious food in low-income parts of the community.
Support Food and Agriculture-Related Businesses and Initiatives that strengthen local economies, job creation, the re-circulation of financial capital, and the community’s health. Food Connections partners provide training and job opportunities for teenagers through the Food Project – North Shore and the Cape Ann Farmer’s Market. We will be promoting food-related businesses through the “Where the Locals Go” Coupon Book (to be published this Fall).
Help Assemble a Local Food Policy Council that brings together food & farming stakeholders to assess community challenges and opportunities in our food system, design and promote creative win-win solutions.
Create a State-of-the-Art Food Connections Website. The website will provide 24/h access to critical information regarding our local food system, including key stakeholders, issues and initiatives.
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