Source: Dahlberg, Kenneth. 1999. Promoting sustainable food systems in the United States. p. 41-46. In Mustafa Koc (ed.) For hunger-proof cities. Int. Dev. Res. Cen., Ottawa, Canada.

Local food systems are the mainstay of the global agricultural system and need to become sustainable. In 1995, policy concerning local food systems did not promote the sustainability of the system. Farmers and administrators lacked foresight to notice that most local food systems were not sustainable. The author argues that securing the local food system will improve food security. There are three major requirements the author claims will improve overall security if met. First is the need of farmers to develop a vision. If farmers set their sights on making the food system secure, they will succeed. Second is the need to commit to fulfilling the theoretical long-term needs, which can be broken down into two sub-categories: (1) key contextual parameters which take into account project, landscape, population, socio-economic, and food organization patterns, and (2) key organizational variables, e.g., leadership, work styles of groups, staff funding, and administrative approaches. Third is the need for capacity building, the foundation for a large industry built on local food systems. Within the category of "capacity building", there are six elements needed to further the understanding of sustainable food systems: (1) networking, (2) technical assistance, (3) leadership training, (4) ongoing strategic evaluation, (5) research on a practical theory, and (6) longer-term research on food systems. If these six pieces are combined, a local food system should become more sustainable. The largest challenge facing this movement is finding financial support. Following the steps above should ultimately lead to a sustainable local food system, increasing the sustainability of the global food system in the process.

Abstract author: Trevor S. Chlanda, 16 November 1999.

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