Local Food Systems City-based food production takes many forms,
from rooftop gardens to community garden plots to urban farms to
re-greened vacant lots to microenterprises to farmer’s markets.
It may be community based, non-profit, or private sector. It is
often integrated with other efforts; including community
building, job training, youth involvement, treatment for mental
illness, beautification and the like. The many benefits range
from economic (reducing food budgets, providing job training or
economic opportunity) to public health (increasing exercise and
nutrition) to environmental (air and water quality, soil
remediation, and greenhouse gas reduction) to community
(building neighborhood connections and improving communication
and safety). We’ll discuss a variety of ways that cities can
support urban agriculture projects. Robert Wood Johnson
Foundation. “Improving Access to Healthy Foods: A Guide for
Policy-Makers,” Fall 2007. - Suggests policies to improve access
to healthy foods and the benefits of d