Shaping Our
Local Food Systems

What does it mean to shape local policies about our food?

Communities and their elected representatives can make choices that protect the health, safety, and welfare of their citizens. Local control of food allows communities to participate in making decisions about their food supply. Urban and rural communities have a better ability to make sure that food production, distribution, and marketing are carried out in ways that are healthy for the local economy and the environment. Strong local influence over food and agriculture ensures that relevant policies are determined by public interest, not corporate profits. To meet the unique needs of a community, local jurisdictions should have unique standards differing from state or federal laws.

Why should food be controlled locally?

The local control of our food supply helps secure the health and welfare of communities. Local authority strengthens democracy and gives citizens a more direct stake in a healthy future. Local control of our food improves:

• Health: With greater local control, we are able to build food systems that improve community health. We can select foods and ingredients based on the qualities of flavor, freshness, and nourishment instead of factors favoring short-term shareholder profits.
  
  
• Food security: When communities manage their food systems, they are better able to create a healthy, affordable, and stable food supply. In this way, the needs of marginalized segments of the community are met. Conversely, large food manufacturers and retailers inadvertently yet systemically compromise community food security. For example, they encourage: (a) global-scale food distribution systems that are subject to disruption; (b) large-scale, chemical-intensive, monocultural production; and (c) store closures in low income communities where profits are not as high.
  
  
• Local economies: Local control makes it easier to create an economic environment that fosters locally owned and operated food and agricultural businesses. This keeps more money cycling in the local economy. When stores source food and other products locally, even more money is returned to the local community.
  
  
• Environment: Food that is locally produced and sold typically comes from small- and mid-scale, sustainable farms. Creating stronger ties between communities and their local food systems fosters a connection to the land and better protects nature. One of the biggest benefits is a significant reduction in long-distance transport, a leading consumer of fossil fuels and contributor to climate change.
  
  
• Community cohesion and civic engagement: Local food systems build community and develop regional identity and character. They provide more meaningful livelihoods for food and agriculture workers, encourage community interaction, and build respectful relationships.