What is a “food system”? Food systems comprise all aspects of
food production (the way the food is grown or raised; the way
the food is harvested or slaughtered; and the way the food is
processed, packaged, or otherwise prepared for consumer
purchase) and food distribution (where and how the food is sold
to consumers and how the food is transported). Food systems can
be divided into two major types: the global industrial food
system, of which there is only one, and sustainable/local (or
regional) food systems, of which there are many. The global
industrial food system has a much wider geographic reach than a
local or regional food system. F What is a “local (or regional)
food system”? The term “local food system” (or “regional food
system”) is used to describe a method of food production and
distribution that is geographically localized, rather than
national and/or international. Food is grown (or raised) and
harvested close to consumers' homes, then distributed over much
shorter distances than is common in t